Bertram Maurice Mandelbrote

A Rhodes scholar at Merton College, Bertram Maurice Mandelbrote (“Bertie”) successfully researched Wilson’s disease. He trained in medicine at Hammersmith Hospital and in psychiatry at the Maudsley. He received a research fellowship at McGill University, and, training with T P Rees, aged 31, Bertram became physician superintendent, Gloucester, at Horton and Coney Hill. He was appointed physician superintendent, Littlemore, 1959, and clinical lecturer, Oxford University, 1961. With Ben Pomryn he founded the Phoenix, a therapeutic community (not excluding other treatments, when indicated) for acute admissions; and established units for more damaged patients and older patients. For resettlement, he recruited a “league of friends” and established the largest number of hostels and group homes in the country. Day centres and evening clubs supported patients in local market towns. His open door policy encouraged relatives, and visitors (many of them distinguished), to participate. A voluntary services organiser coordinated volunteers. In 1970, Bertram initiated a specialised service for elderly patients in Oxfordshire; a specialised therapeutic community, the Ley Clinic, a charitable organisation, for drug and alcohol dependent patients; and the Isis Centre in Oxford, a self referring counselling service. A senior registrar, attached to the Nuffield Department of Medicine, represented liaison psychiatry. The Ashhurst Clinic provided a day community for patients with neurotic and personality problems. A quietly spoken, dignified, compassionate man, Bertie trusted his staff who, in turn respected, him. Many of his trainees became distinguished psychiatrists. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathie; and two sons.