History of the Medical Foundation

The work of the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture (MF) began more than 25 years ago under the auspices of the Medical Group of Amnesty International. Volunteer health professionals, including some of the most senior specialists in the medical profession, campaigned against violations of human rights and documented evidence of torture.

During those years much expertise was gained by clinicians, working both abroad, and in the UK where it became apparent that the existing health services did not meet the needs of survivors of torture who had fled into exile.

In 1985, under the leadership of Helen Bamber, the MF was set up to provide survivors with medical treatment, counselling and therapy and to document evidence of torture. The heads of three Royal Colleges, of Surgeons, Physicians and Psychiatrists, agreed to sponsor the organisation.

From an inauspicious start in two rooms in the former National Temperance Hospital, off Hampstead Road in north-west London, the work of the MF grew rapidly. In 1990, with the organisation seeing 750 clients a year, it moved to new premises in Grafton Road, Kentish Town.

Helen stepped down as director in 2002 but continued to work for the organisation as a therapist. She was replaced by Malcolm Smart. Under his stewardship the first centre outside London opened in Manchester in late 2003. Then in early 2004, the London headquarters moved into a £5.8m purpose built new treatment centre in Isledon Road in Finsbury Park. A centre was opened in Scotland soon afterwards.

Malcolm stepped down as director early in 2005 to return to working in the field of international human rights and was replaced as acting director by Director of Finance Simon Carruth. At the same time, Helen left the organisation to set up the Helen Bamber Foundation, working with torture survivors presenting with complex and seemingly intractable problems, as well as with survivors of human rights violations, some of whom fall outside the MF's remit.

In 2006 Simon was confirmed as the MF's new Chief Executive Officer, and a new centre opened in Newcastle serving the North East.