David Graham Melville-Thomas, consultant and Senior Lecturer in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in South Wales, died on 1 November.
Two years as Medical Officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps with Forces Families began his interest in personal, psychological and social aspects of illness in childhood. This led to posts in paediatrics and neurosurgery at the Morriston Hospital, Swansea, where he met his wife, Dr Betsan Phillips, a niece of Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
Graham’s thinking was greatly shaped by the Swiss Christian physician, Paul Tournier, on treating patients as whole persons. He inaugurated services in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry based at Preswylfa Child Guidance Clinic and Whitchurch Hospital in Cardiff, working closely with Professor Kenneth Rawnsley, to develop postgraduate training in child and adolescent psychiatry. With his good friend Peter Gray, Professor of Paediatrics, he launched a Centre, from voluntary sources, to provide multi-disciplinary therapy for children with disabilities, and a Child Development Unit.
He is remembered as a wise psychiatrist who loved treating children, and especially enjoyed listening to 3–4 year olds who speak openly about what is on their minds. The 1980s saw an escalation of violent pornographic media in the UK. Graham served as a member of the Parliamentary Group Video Enquiry, which carried out research, enlisted support from mental health professionals, published a book and produced a Report for Parliament.
He went on to develop Cardiff Concern, a church-based confidential counselling service supported by over 20 evangelical churches, which continues to be widely used.
For many years he was a member of EFWA (Evangelical Fellowship of Welsh Anglicans), which was initiated by John Stott to encourage Anglican Evangelical presence and influence in Wales.
Throughout his life, Graham facilitated Bible studies and study days – specialist ethical studies for Christian medical students, and lively debates on the interface between Science and Faith.
