Barbara Robb

Barbara Robb
Robb c. 1941
Born
Barbara Anne

15 April 1912
Yorkshire, England
Died21 June 1976 (aged 64)
London, England
Alma materChelsea School of Art
Occupation(s)Psychotherapist and campaigner
Known forFounder of AEGIS
SpouseBrian Robb

Barbara Robb (née Anne, 15 April 1912 – 21 June 1976) was a British campaigner for the well-being of older people, best known for founding and leading the pressure group AEGIS (Aid for the Elderly in Government Institutions) and for the book Sans Everything: A Case to Answer.[1]

A professional psychotherapist, Robb founded AEGIS after witnessing inadequate and inhumane treatment of one of her former patients, and other elderly women, during a visit to Friern Hospital. AEGIS campaigned to improve the care of older people in long-stay wards of National Health Service (NHS) psychiatric hospitals. In 1967, Robb compiled Sans Everything: A Case to Answer, a controversial book, detailing the inadequacies of care provided for older people, which prompted a nationwide scandal. Although initially official inquiries into these allegations reported that they were "totally unfounded or grossly exaggerated",[2] her campaigns led to revealing other instances of ill-treatment, which were accepted and prompted the government to implement NHS policy changes.[3]

  1. ^ Barbara Robb, Sans Everything: A case to answer (London: Nelson, 1967)
  2. ^ 'Sans Everything (Reports of Inquiries)' Hansard HC Deb 09 July 1968 vol 768 cc213–6, 214
  3. ^ Anon, 'Disturbing report on a hospital: health authorities to be asked to review standards of care' Times, 16 May 1974, 16