James Michael Hirons ("Mike") was born in Wales and won a choir scholarship to Hereford Cathedral School. His mother influenced his decision to study medicine, which he attended Cambridge University and graduated in 1967. He completed his homework at St Thomas' Hospital in London. He devoted himself to psychiatry, where he worked at the Royal Naval Hospital in Greenwich, the London Hospital and for many years as a consultant at Bexley Hospital. He became a trustee of the South East Psychotherapy Group, a charity funding long-term therapy outside the NHS. After Bexley Hospital closed, he continued at Queen Mary Hospital in Sidcup until his retirement. After retirement he worked in the mental health courts until his dementia set in. He was married twice, widowed once.