Pioneering health researcher Julian Tudor Hart dies, aged 91

Published: 28 June 2018

GP, researcher, and passionate advocate for healthcare equality, Julian Tudor Hart, mentor and inspiration to many, and friend to IHW and GPPC, dies at the age of 91

"Julian Tudor Hart has gone from the world but he will never be gone from the work, lives and dreams of general practitioners." Professor Graham Watt

Dr Julian Tudor Hart died aged 91 on 1st July 2018.

Julian Tudor Hart receives honorary doctorate from University of Glasgow, pictured with Professor Graham WattHe was a friend and colleague of several members of the Department of General Practice and visited on many occasions. One of his important papers on patients as co-producers was based on a seminar in the department in 1994. He was awarded an honorary degree by the university in 1998 [pictured here with colleague of many years Professor Graham Watt], in recognition of his career as a pioneering and visionary GP, realising what a GP could achieve in the NHS.

‌He was the first doctor in the world to measure the blood pressure of all his patients, developing a population approach based on personalised continuity of care for all patients whatever problem or combination of problems they had. His BMJ paper showing 30% lower premature mortality in his practice population compared with a neighbouring village remains the only record of what a GP might achieve over 25 years in practice. Having coined the “Inverse Care Law” in a famous Lancet article in 1971, he was disappointed that the term was only used by others to talk about inequality in healthcare and not to address it. The Department of General Practice hosted his 80th birthday celebration with a one day conference in 2007.

‌Julian remains an inspiration and example for General Practitioners at the Deep End, which now has projects in Scotland, Ireland, Yorkshire/Humber and Greater Manchester.

Professor Graham Watt
General Practice and Primary Care
Institute of Health and Wellbeing


First published: 28 June 2018