| Julia Franklin |
 Born in Harrow in 1936, Julia Franklin was educated in a convent, but had to leave during the sixth form when her father was
ill. However, she knew that she wanted to work with people and got a job as a medical records clerk at the Hammersmith Hospital.
This began to familiarise her with the world of health care, and she studied for a diploma in sociology part-time during a
period spent at home while her four children were young. Returning to work, Julia Franklin secured a job as an assistant social
worker at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, and was fortunate in being one of the last members of staff to be paid during
her social work training at Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education (1977-79). Between 1982 and 1989 Julia Franklin set
up a new social work service for the terminally ill, a project backed by University College Hospital and Camden Social Services,
which became known as the Bloomsbury Support Team. Her work as part of this team of specialist nurses and a doctor made her
aware of how the welfare Disability Benefits system was not meeting the needs of people who were terminally ill. Between 1986
and 1990, she spearheaded a campaign to enable terminally ill people to be able to apply for Attendance Allowance or disability
living allowance using the DS1500 certificate, without having to wait for the six months qualifying period. The success of
this campaign was a major step forward into raising awareness regarding the needs of people who have a short prognosis. Then
in 1989 she was employed by St Barnabas' Hospice in Worthing to set up a social work department. The interview also discusses
the formation of the Association of Hospice Social Workers, which Julia chaired from 1990 to 1993. In 1991 Julia Franklin
obtained a postgraduate diploma in counselling from Brighton University, and the interview discusses her interest in family
therapy, children and grief, bibliotherapy, and literature and drama therapy. Also mentioned are the NHS Reforms and the future
of hospice.
|
| Interview conducted by Neil Small, 9 July 1996 |
| Interview Duration: 1 hour 6 minutes |
|
