Michael King

I am very sorry to learn of the loss of Michael - I so appreciated his enthusiasm and interest in addressing difficult research topics. I remember him enthusiastically welcoming me to the Royal Free in 1992. My thoughts with Irwin, and Michael's other family and friends.

Michael's passing is a great loss to UCL, academic psychiatry and endeavours to improve mental health and equalities around the world. He moved things forward on so many fronts and supported so many people to do more than they thought possible - he will be greatly missed.

I am so sorry to hear this news. I worked with Michael on a few projects over the years and very much enjoyed his company - he was a sharp, humorous presence in any meeting. I will also miss his presence in the Priment seminars with his incisive and probing questions. My condolences to Irwin and Michael's family.

Michael found us when looking for information on a condition (non–tuberculous mycobacterial disease, NTM) with which he had been recently diagnosed; and where patient support and advice was limited and sometimes wrong. In no time at all, his tremendous enthusiasm, intelligence, and willingness to engage meant he became responsible for several areas within NTM Patient Care UK, and soon was asked to be a Trustee. A brilliant and highly-cited researcher and academic in his day job with a genuine respect for people, Michael supported, encouraged and nurtured others with NTM to enable them to tell their stories and so better manage their lives. As the patient association grew through his hard work (he took to being our website webmaster like the proverbial duck to water!), Michael was increasingly asked to provide expert patient insight on NTM and how to manage it. We can only thank him for his dedication to helping others and improving patients’ experiences and outcomes through his articles, interviews and public information. It is a fitting testament that NTM Patient Care UK is now seen as the go-to UK patient support group As a result of Michael’s energy and hard work over the last 12 months, we have provided the patient voice on national committee’s in England, Scotland and Wales. On a day to day basis we will miss Michael’s warmth, passion and humour, though know that he already had considerable satisfaction in what had been achieved for people with NTM. Michael provided solid grounding and a clear vision for the group, and he will be remembered for improving the lives of many people living with NTM disease now and in the future through his courage to stand up, be counted and promote better health and care in this often unrecognised and poorly-understood area.

Much has been said about Michael's sharp intellect, willingness to play Devil's advocate and his sense of humour. I was fortunate to work with him on several projects in designing the perfect study protocol! We will miss his presence, energy and points of view in our French and German language sessions.

Michael was among the first people at UCL and the Division I had contact with, on an interview panel for an RA post. He was a pretty tough interviewer, which I am sure will surprise no one! But he was the best I know at combining forthrightness with an open, friendly, and welcoming personality. An inspiration to all who had the pleasure to meet him.

Michael was so generous with his time and expertise in helping us tackle ignorance and prejudice around LGBT+ matters within religious settings. I shall always be grateful to him for helping provide a briefing note for the critical debate we had in 2017 within the Church of England on the harm that "conversion therapy" causes people, which was key in helping synod members give a clear message to government that this degrading practice needed to be banned. Michael became a dear friend and was such an encourager to me to "keep on keeping on", which he himself modelled so powerfully.

Michael was a gift, brilliant mind, wonderful person. I already miss his wit and clarity, can't be replaced...