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10. Dr Chaand Nagpaul

Amongst the myriad duties Dr Chaand Nagpaul tends to, his responsibilities as BMA Council chair have meant the most high-profile this year for GPs has been the continued support provided to Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba.

The controversial case – in which the GMC attempted to strike off Dr Bawa-Garba following the death of a boy in her care – finally concluded earlier this year.

After a long battle, in which the GMC was accused of failing to recognise the severe systemic pressures affecting the hospital the doctor was working at, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service agreed in April she should be able to return to practice this year.

As part of the case, the BMA intervened when it went to the Court of Appeal – so it could provide evidence on behalf of the profession – eventually leading to the reversal of Dr Bawa-Garba being struck off.

As part of this, the union secured a commitment from the GMC that it will never ask for reflective statements from doctors during fitness-to-practise investigations.

The BMA also pushed for the GMC to be stripped of its right to appeal Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service decisions – a power that had greatly influenced the Bawa-Garba case – which was later agreed to by the health minister.

Elsewhere, Dr Nagpaul, a GP partner in north-west London, has also been leading the union’s work highlighting the culture of ‘fear and blame’ among the profession that is stopping doctors from raising concerns.

He also provided evidence on behalf of the BMA to the Government and GMC reviews of gross negligence manslaughter – led by Professor Sir Norman Williams and Leslie Hamilton.

Other work has involved lobbying to end competition rules in the NHS and stop automatic tendering of healthcare contracts. He hopes this will mean ‘GP contracts can be replaced by GMS contracts rather than competitive fixed term APMS contracts’.

Why influential: Lobbying champion for UK doctors

What others say: ‘Hard working, dedicated, and impassioned.’

Random fact: Has an ‘absolute taste-bud aversion to mustard and goat’s cheese.’