A visionary researcher who made significant contributions to health services research
Ray Fitzpatrick started his career at the medical schools of St Bartholomew’s Hospital and Middlesex Hospital. He came to the University of Oxford in 1986 as a lecturer with a fellowship at Nuffield College, and was Professor of Public Health and Primary Care from 1996.
He went on to serve two periods as Head of the former Department of Public Health, and served as one of the longest-standing Deans in Nuffield College’s history.
Throughout his career, Ray demonstrated a strong commitment to interdisciplinary and collaborative research. His work on patient reported outcomes transformed both academic discussions and medical practice.
Ray's expertise and leadership extended beyond the University, as he served on the Medical Research Council for 15 years and chaired its Public Health and Health Services Research Board. He also worked with Arthritis Research UK on its Scientific Advisory Committee, as well as serving as Deputy Director of the Department of Health and Social Care’s Quality Safety and Outcomes Policy Research Unit.
Ray was the National Programme Director for the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR)'s Health Services and Delivery research, and led the 'Improving Health and Social Care' theme of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Oxford and Thames Valley.
Head of Department, Professor Sir Rory Collins, said ‘Ray played a key role in the leadership of the Department of Public Health, and was a great supporter of the new department. He also made important contributions to health services research, with a particular focus on assessments of the patient experience of treatments.’
Read more about Ray on the Nuffield College website.