Head of the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences.
My research interests mainly focus on cardiovascular epidemiology and clinical trials, especially relating to vascular and stroke risk, and heart failure, and digital health.
We have developed, at the University of Oxford, one of the largest and most highly ranked centres for academic primary care globally. I have made over my career major contributions to growing primary care academic capacity, in terms of both researchers and research networks. I have authored over 450 peer reviewed publications, have an h-index of 90, with over 56000 citations, and am one of the world’s most cited primary care academics. I have an ‘outstanding track record’ in cardiovascular research, designing and delivering trials that changed international guidelines and practice, especially in the areas of stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (BAFTA, SAFE, and SMART trials), heart failure burden and diagnosis (ECHOES and REFER trials), and contributing to studies in hypertension self-management (TASMINH series).
I was awarded the RCGP Discovery Prize in 2018 (one of only five recipients since 1953) and received an inaugural Distinguished Researcher Shine Prize from WONCA World in 2018. I was awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours in 2018 for my contributions to medical research.
My research has impacted on international health policies and clinical guidelines. Within the NHS, I have consulted on National Service Frameworks for CHD, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure and several National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) reviews. I have provided clinical care in inner-city general practice for over 30 years.
I currently sit on many national and international scientific and research funding boards in UK, Ireland, Canada, and WHO, including the BHF Council, the Board of the British Primary Care Cardiovascular Society, British Primary Care Cardiovascular Society, and the ESC Council for Cardiovascular Primary Care. I am President of the International Primary Care Cardiovascular Society (IPCCS) and I currently chair the European Primary Care Cardiovascular Society (EPCCS), a WONCA Special Interest Group. I was co-Director of the Quality and Outcomes (QOF) Review Panel from 2005–09.
I am fortunate to work with outstanding colleagues in research and administration in my Department and throughout the University.
DPhil Supervision
I currently supervise 4 DPhil students, studying different aspects to heart failure, cancer prediction and weight.
