David Ames BA, MD, FRCPsych, FRANZCP graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1978. His training in psychiatry took place at Royal Melbourne Hospital 1982-4, Friern and the Royal Free Hospital London UK 1984-5, before his appointment to a position as research fellow and honorary lecturer at the Royal Free Hospital 1985-7, where he completed his doctoral thesis on depression in residential homes for the elderly.