Psychiatric Bulletin (2003) 27: 197. doi: 10.1192/pb.27.5.197
© 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2003) 27: 197
© 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Dr John Richard Theobalds
Formerly Consultant Psychiatrist, Lancaster Health Authority
Mohammed Abdul Halim
John Theobalds was born on 26 July 1923 and died from lung cancer on 28
June 2002.
He received his medical education at Westminster Hospital and qualified
from there MRCS Eng., LRCP Lond and MB, BS, Lond., in 1947. After national
service, mainly at a military hospital in Egypt, he returned home and worked
in general medicine hospitals at Westminster and the Royal Salop Hospital,
before deciding on a career in psychiatry.
To this end he served as Registrar at Park Prenett Hospital, Basingstoke
and later was appointed Consultant Psychiatrist, Lancaster Health Authority
and Medical Director, Priority Services NHS Trust, Lancaster. He gained the
DPM. Eng in 1960, was elected MRCPsych in 1971 and proceeded FRCPsych in
1986.
John's major interest was in the treatment of alcoholism and drug abuse and
he opened Harvey House, currently relocated in the community in Lancaster, and
was a founder trustee and committee member of Inward House, a residential
therapeutic community for the treatment of drug and solvent misusers.
John's interests were widespread. He loved sport, particularly soccer: he
was a lifetime Arsenal supporter and succeeded at one time to be given a trial
for Chelsea! He enjoyed reading poetry and listening to music, particularly
traditional jazz.
He leaves behind him his second wife, Brenda, whom he married in 1980.
