The establishment of the Medical Advisory Panel was approved by the Overseas Aid Committee at a meeting on 6 Apr 1965. Its primary function was to offer advice on aspects of medical policy, such as Oxfam's attitude to and work on family planning, leprosy and tuberculosis. The panel initially consisted of Dr. W.R. Aykroyd (Chair), Dr. H.H.W. Bennett, Dr. Muriel Harris, and Dr. Vera Walker. From the outset, the two existing medical members of the Africa and Asia Field Committees were members. Later members included Dr. C.E. Cooper, Dr. M. Macaulay, Professor Sir Robert Mackintosh, Dr. J.L. Tester, Dr. D.P. Burkitt, Dr. W.A.M. Cutting, Dr. B. Gans, Dr. A.B. Gilroy, Dr. D. Barker, Dr. Susan Cole-King, Dr. J. Guillebaud and Dr. T. Lusty. Dr. Walker replaced Dr. Aykroyd as Chair in 1971 and was succeeded by Dr. Lusty in 1974.

A complete set of signed minutes and papers has not survived. Documents listed in MS. Oxfam PRG/1/6 were kept by Ken Bennett, Overseas Director; Michael Harris, Deputy Overseas Director; David Carter, Assistant to the Overseas Director; Humphrey Hilton, Secretary to the Medical Advisory Panel; Ausma Acworth, Secretary to the Medical Advisory Panel; and Dr. Tim Lusty, Chair of the Medical Advisory Panel.