Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 440. doi: 10.1192/pb.29.11.440
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 440
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Stefano Olivieri
Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry, Hampshire Partnership Trust
Christine Platz
Stefano Olivieri was born in Maranello, Italy, in 1947 and studied medicine
at the nearby University of Modena, where he also obtained his Doctorate in
Medicine. He moved to England in 1978, working at Chichester, Portsmouth and
Salisbury, before his consultant appointment in old age psychiatry, based at
Winchester, in 1986. He was elected FRCPsych in 1994.
He enriched the lives of all he met by his humour, generosity of spirit and
the warmth and exuberance of his personality - his presence would fill the
room. He was the warm heart of the local in-patient unit. He had
a rigorously intellectual approach to psychiatry as well as exceptionally good
clinical judgement, with a keen interest in both pharmacology and
psychotherapy.
Stefano had a passion for teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate
levels and, as college tutor, he inspired and mentored many trainee
psyhiatrists and general practitioners. He was equally available to and valued
by his consultant colleagues, all hospital and community staff and, above all,
by his patients and their carers, for whom he worked tirelessly.
Stefano exemplified the best qualities of a doctor; he regarded those who
were learning or practising medicine equally as his own family, and was loved
and held in regard by them in equal measure. He died suddenly from ischaemic
heart disease on 7 December 2004. The recently enlarged Old Age Psychiatry
Unit at Melbury Lodge, Winchester has been renamed the Stefano Olivieri Unit -
a fitting tribute and memorial. He leaves a wife Brenda, son Paul, and family
in Italy.