Professor, the Baroness Hollins of Wimbledon FRCPsych, FRCPCH, FRCP hon, FCMSA, FHEA, FIPD
Baroness Hollins is a Psychiatrist and is Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at St George’s, University of London. She is also Honorary Professor of Spirituality, Theology and Health at the University of Durham. She was appointed Vice President of the Catholic Union in 2014
In 2014 Pope Francis appointed her a member of the newly created Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. She delivered the Catholic Union’s Craigmyle Lecture in 2022 on the theme of “Keeping Children and Vulnerable Adults Safe – Insights from the Vatican”. .
She has sat as a Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords since 2010 and has provided invaluable advice and insights into our submission to the Home Office’s consultation on mandatory safeguarding reporting and has supported a number of our campaigns, including our assisted suicide survey in 2023.
Baroness Hollins is a champion for people with learning disabilities and was appointed Chair of the Oversight Panel to oversee Independent Care, Education and Treatment Reviews of people placed in Long Term Segregation. In addition, she is Founder and Chair of “Beyond Words”, publishers of award-winning picture story books covering topics including physical and mental health, lifestyle and relationships, abuse and bereavement.
She was President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists from 2005 to 2008, and from 2012 to 2013 she was President of the British Medical Association. She continues to serve as President of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
In 2010, she agreed to work with Cardinal Cormack Murphy-O’Connor when he was commissioned by Pope Benedict XVI to undertake a visitation of the Archdiocese of Armagh following reports of clerical abuse in Ireland.
Baroness Hollins became President of the Catholic Union in November 2023.