The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries

Diploma in the Medical Care of Catastrophes

Established in 1994

The Diploma is designed to demonstrate thorough specialist knowledge for those practitioners who are required to provide a medical and surgical response at the scene of major man-made and natural disasters. It is intended for civilian and military physicians, surgeons, dentists and nurses, who will work as members of medical response teams.

By means of the syllabus, it co-ordinates the preparation of personnel and establishes a level of skill for those working in the catastrophe situation. It is also intended to provide a means by which organisations can identify suitable personnel from those who volunteer to respond to such worldwide crises.

The Diploma is designed to assess the candidate's cross-specialty and organisational knowledge and awareness for the provision of a variety of medical and surgical responses.

The Society also runs a 12-month course to fulfil the requirements for admission to the examination. It is held in London one Saturday per month and begins each January.  More details are available here.

Further Information

In addition to the London date, the Examination is also held in the Netherlands; these examinations are limited to Dutch candidates.

Examination Format

The Diploma examination comprises a written, short answer question paper and an objective structured clinical and skills examination. Candidates sit both elements on the same day or subsequent days.

Full details are provided in the Guide to the Diploma and the Administrative Guidance to Candidates.

Examination documentation

Guide to the Diploma in the Medical Care of Catastrophes (DMCC) (incorporating the Regulations and Syllabus)

Administrative Guidance for Candidates

Reading List:  The recommended reading list is available to download from the Course of Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine’s web page

Policy for Candidates seeking Special Examination Arrangements

Standard Setting Procedures for Diploma Examinations

List of successful dissertations 1994 - 2014

Application forms

First time entry: Form A 

Re-entry: Form R

Request for special examination arrangements: Form Q

Examination Review and Appeal Procedure

The Society's Review and Appeal Procedure gives information about feedback, review and appeal. Candidates who seek a review or appeal should note that there is a fee payable, the amount of which is given the the relevant Guide to the Diploma, including the Regulations and Syllabus.

Examination Review and Appeal Procedure

List of Examiners

Hudson Rusby Leigh Prize

Eric H Hudson (1902-1990), N Lloyd Rusby (1905-1988) and A George Leigh (1909-1968) were medical officers during the Second World War, Harley Street colleagues, good friends and Liverymen of the Society. If they were alive today, they would no doubt be proud of the medical and surgical innovations that presently abound in conflict zones. With this in mind, their families, all of whom are represented in today’s Livery, have been pleased to be able to establish a fund for a prize to be awarded to the candidate gaining the best result in one year for the new format Diploma in the Medical Care of Catastrophes. The associated cup, which is retained in the Hall, is in the form of a 17th-century-style, silver gilt, caudle cup and cover.

These cups have a medical connotation, as they were used for caudle, a mixture of warm, spicy gruel of oatmeal, sugar etc. with the addition of ale or wine, which was administered to convalescents and invalids (although, historically, the contents also seem to have been enjoyed by friends and visitors).

Pass Lists

Useful Links
Catastrophe & Conflict Medicine course
RSM Catastrophe & Conflict Forum

Apothecaries' Hall, Black Friars Lane, London EC4V 6EJ 020 7236 1189