Paddington Clinic and Day Hospital and Paddington Centre for Psychotherapy

Material relating to the Paddington Clinic and Day Hospital and the Paddington Centre for Psychotherapy.

See also PP/ROS/B/5-16.

c.1972-1983

4 files

The PCP started as the Camden Clinic, which closed in 1962. The Paddington Clinic and Day Hospital opened in 1962. One of the first NHS units to provide psychoanalytic therapy. The PCDH came under the administration of the St Charles' Group Hospital Management Committee. In December 1971 the staff and patients formed a protest group against closure of the Day Hospital and its transfer to the newly opened psychiatric unit at St Mary's Hospital. The Paddington Day Hospital protest became symbolic of the anti-psychiatric movement. The protest was successful and the Day Hospital remained open, whilst similar units around the country closed. In March 1973 some 100 people, mostly patients or former patients, met at the Day Hospital to discuss forming a union for mental patients. Following this, the Mental Patients Union was established.

In 1974 the Clinic and Day Hospital were renamed the Paddington Centre for Psychotherapy.

In January 1976 the patients called for an inquiry into the functioning of the Day Hospital and its lack of shared decision-making. This provoked an investigation by the Area Health Authority, which led to the Medical Director being dismissed. Although the new Medical Director attempted to re-establish a therapeutic community, this proved not possible and the Day Hospital began to be wound down in 1978 and the patients discharged.

The Clinic and Day Hospital closed in 1979. Services moved to the Parkside Clinic in Lancaster Road.

See: http://ezitis.myzen.co.uk/paddingtoncentre.html for a comprehensive administrative history of the PCP.