Professor of Health Services Research.

His main research interests are the use of clinical databases for evaluation and audit of health services (particularly in the fields of surgery and intensive care), patient-reported outcomes, non-randomised methods of evaluation, the relationship between research and policy, and the history of health services. In 1996, together with Nick Mays, he founded the Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, which they continue to edit.

He was founding Chair of the UK Health Services Research Network (2005-8). In 2008 he was appointed chair of the National Clinical Audit Advisory Group, responsible for advising the Department of Health and leading the reinvigoration of clinical audit in England.

He has recently published Walking London’s medical history, an attempt to raise public understanding of health services and health care policy through seven walks through London.

Black N, Jenkinson C. Patient reported outcomes and experiences. BMJ 2009;339:202-5