In 1977, Barbara Castle, who had been health secretary until the previous year, was the guest of honour at the opening of Field End House, a home for children in the old Liverpool Road hospital in Islington, north London. She walked straight through the line of assembled dignitaries to congratulate Jean Willson and others who had campaigned for it. She knew.
In those days more than 500 young people with learning difficulties lived far away from their families in hospitals and care homes. Liverpool Road was at the start of a movement that led to the closure of the long-stay hospitals.
As chief officer of the community health council at the time, I have never forgotten what an effective negotiator and champion Jean Willson was.
