Dr James Willis, BA, FRCPsych, FRCPE

Abstract

Presents an obituary of Dr. James Willis. Willis was a well known Guy’s Hospital psychiatrist who, in the 1960s, was much involved in the National Health Service (NHS) treatment of those dependent on heroin and cocaine and other non-therapeutic and socially unacceptable drugs. He wrote widely on psychiatric topics and, later in his life, novels. Following education at Stonyhurst School and 2 years National Service, he started his medical education at Guy’s Hospital Medical School where, as well as his medical studies, he was well remembered for his involvement in the hospital’s Christmas shows and similar activities. He decided to train as a psychiatrist and was remembered fondly by many of his patients for his liberal and non judgmental views when many saw addicts as moral lepers. He is survived by his second wife, his son, daughter and three grandchildren. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)