02/04/2025
The Late Quintin Barry
(The Paddy Henry Case)
It was with sadness that I heard on Monday, from Neil Henry, that Quintin Barry had passed away in January aged 88. I am very sad to not have been able to attend his funeral due to not knowing of his passing.
Firstly those who never knew the man - you missed a treat and I'll explain. Quintin was not involved with St Francis Hospital professionally but he's very deserving of a fulsome mention here.
Back in April 1984 the late Paddy Henry, former Nursing Officer for Psychiatric Community Nursing, was sacked by Tim Blakey, Director of Psychiatric Nursing with the former Mid Downs District Health Authority. Blakey and his co-conspirators, namely, Diala Hoadley, Martin Long, Graham Woods and Peter Catchpole had contrived a situation to sack Paddy. (PS - I waited for libel proceedings against me but funnily enough they never came!)
Later, nationally, COHSE dropped Paddy's industrial tribunal case against the Authority which made him a paltry financial offer with a whistle blowing clause which would prevent Paddy from speaking out about the case. Paddy's local COHSE branch stood firmly with him. Paddy went on to fund and win his case destroying the reputations of Hoadley, Blakey, Long, Woods and Catchpole amd exposing their plot in the process. See chapter 8 of my book MY ASYLUM for a fuller picture and which is available online on Amazon.
Central to the case was Quintin Barry whose representation of Paddy was superb. A quietly spoken gentleman lawyer, author, tribunal judge and much more he was the perfect fit for the case. Many are the stories of the time I spent by Paddy's side during those horrific years which undoubtedly played a part in Paddy's later failing health and too early demise. I still miss him greatly.
The Friends of St Francis pay their condolences to Quintin's family and friends. May Quintin rest in peace.
Joe Hughes
Site Admin
