Dr John Stephen Hughes-Games

It is with regret that we report the death of Dr John Hughes-Games, president of the Faculty of Homeopathy from 1984 to 1987, on 22 July 2004.

John was born on Vancouver Island, Canada but soon returned with his parents to their home city of Bristol. He was educated at King William's College on the Isle of Man and very much enjoyed his National Service in Kenya before returning to Bristol University to study medicine, qualifying in 1954.

He trained as a General Practitioner and built up a large practice in South Bristol where he worked for 40 years until forced to retire at the age of 70. He loved and missed his patients and continued his homeopathic practice from home.

John went on his first homeopathic course in the early 1960s and met Dr Margery Blackie with whom he established a very warm friendship. She invited him to spend a day a week at her practice in Thurloe Street, studying homeopathy in the mornings and helping in the practice during afternoon. He did this for 18 months during which time he quite frequently stayed at Dr Blackie's country home at Hedingham Castle. She wanted John to join her in her practice. However, he realised that his commitments in Bristol were too strong for him to leave, and regretfully broke the news to Dr Blackie; she was disappointed but they remained good friends.

During his life John spent a great deal of time and energy in promoting medical homeopathy and he had regular broadcasts on local radio and, for 18 months, a live phone-in programme on cable television. He also wrote a number of original articles for homeopathic journals and had letters published in the main newspapers in support of homeopathy.

About 15 years ago he started the Bristol Medical Homeopathic Group to try and save the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital building. Unfortunately he was not successful but the group has flourished having about 200 members and attracts very interesting speakers. John himself was an enthusiastic lecturer and inspired generations of doctors to take up homeopathy. Under the auspices of the group he arranged fund-raising events and 2 concerts in aid of the Children's Hospice in the South West.

He was a past President of the Faculty of Homeopathy and Chairman of the South West England branch for many years. He was also an examiner for the Faculty. In addition to this he was a Vice President of the Blackie Foundation Trust and Chairman of the William Kadleigh Memorial Fund which supports young homeopathic doctors. He had a large private practice and helped at the Sidmouth clinic for a number of years.

It is difficult to imagine how anyone could have done more to promote the therapy that he loved so much. Outside medicine John's enthusiasms included fishing, shooting, gardening, driving, photography, sketching and painting.

He leaves a widow, Sue, 4 children and 5 grandchildren.