38. Dr Kailash Chand

This retired Lancashire GP has an extensive media presence: as well as being a regular Pulse blogger, he writes for the Guardian, the Mirror, the Tribune and the BMJ.

Almost invariably, he has used his media presence to highlight the crisis in the NHS caused by years of underfunding. As he himself puts it, the person he has to thank most is ‘Jeremy Hunt, perversely. As the worst health secretary of the NHS, Mr Hunt has united the medical profession and evoked a widespread public awareness of the NHS.’

His support of Labour’s Andy Burnham’s bid to become mayor of Greater Manchester helped the former health secretary win the post, and he is set to take a more formal role as Mr Burnham’s health advisor in the coming months.

This year Dr Chaand was honoured with lifetime vice-presidency of the BMA, which is a first for anyone from a BME background.

Dr Chand’s popularity is apparent among Pulse readers, receiving a number of nominators. They point to his ‘untiring defence of NHS and general practice in the media’.

Why influential

Wise soothsayer of the profession

What others say

‘A national figure with a profile for nearly two decades’

Random fact

He has a passion for Indian poetry and songs