Dr William Arthur Barclay papers

MLMSS 11282
SLIDES 362

fonds

1967-2008

Textual Records, Photographs

9659225

0.16 metres of textual material (1 box)
5 slides - colour - 5 x 5 cm

Former Director of State Psychiatric Services, Dr William Arthur Barclay, started medicine in 1947 at Sydney University. After reading Freud in his third year he developed in interest in psychiatry and after fourth year he undertook a BSc. Med. in pharmacology. After graduation he did two years at Prince Alfred in neurosurgery, a year at Royal Hobart as a surgical resident and then became a trainee psychiatrist at Parramatta Mental Hospital.

In 1958 Dr Barclay was transferred to Broughton Hall, which had recently appointed Professor Bill Trethowan, who brought forward the Mental Health Act of 1958. Around this time deinstitutionalisation of mental hospitals was taking off around the world. After instructing the chief engineer to remove a man-proof fence at Broughton Hall Dr Barclay was removed from his position and transferred to Morriset Hospital. After a review by the Chairman of the Public Service Board, Dr Barclay was appointed as Medical Superintendent First Class of North Ryde Psychiatric Centre. In 1962 Dr Barclay was offered the role of deputy Director of the Division of Establishments, making him the highest ranking psychiatrist in the New South Wales public service.

During the next two years Dr Barclay developed a program of deinstitutionalisation and in 1964 he travelled to the United states on a 20 month Fellowship of the Harkness Fund, an American private foundation. The report on the Fellowship upon return to Australia became the blueprint for further development of community mental and the reform of mental hospitals for at least the next decade. At this time Dr Barclay was appointed Director of State Psychiatric Services. Following a restructure in 1973 Dr Barclay took up the position of Commissioner for Personal Health Services, which encompassed Mental Health, Community Health, and General Hospitals.

Between 1976 and 1995 Dr Barclay worked in private practice, including establishing his own forensice practice in 1985. Dr Barclay retired in 1995.

References
Library Acquisition file

MLMSS 11282
Includes documents and reports supporting Dr Barclay’s work including notes for lectures, a 14 page autobiography, journal articles, news articles, government reports, letters to government office holders and printouts from websites. It contains a variety of material concerning Callan Park.

SLIDES 362
1. Kirkbride Wards, circa 1890
2. Manproff fences, Gladesville 1963
4. “Ha Ha” Wall, circa 1890-1964
8. M.O’s Residence, 56 bed “Night Hospital” in background, 1961
11. Outpatient Dept., Broughton Hall, 1964

This material is held in cold storage and requires 3 working days notice to retrieve. Please submit your request through Ask a Librarian - Applies to SLIDES 362

Copyright restrictions may apply:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder

Titles for slides taken from descriptive information on the front of the slides.