Ann McPherson (Estate of)

Ann McPherson (1945-2011) was a pioneering GP, health communicator, champion of the NHS and patient advocate. Brought up in North London, she attended St George’s Hospital Medical School and graduated with a distinction, top of her year. After training stints in London, Oxford and Harvard, obtaining her membership of the Royal College of GPs, again with distinction, she was appointed as a principal in a practice in Oxford.

McPherson wrote over 20 books, including The Diary of a Teenage Health Freak (1987), which used humour to answer in a matter of fact way those embarrassing medical questions that trouble teenagers. It topped the W H Smith’s teenage book list, sold more than one million copies, was translated into 25 languages and was made into a television series. She worked tirelessly to improve women’s health care, penning Women’s Health and Miscarriage. In 2000 she was appointed CBE for work relating to adolescent and women’s health.

“She helped doctors and patients understand each other better, broke down the barriers between doctors, patients and the public at large, and found ways for people to look after themselves. As a champion of patients’ rights, Ann was outstanding” – Read Ann’s Guardian obituary here.