Dr Alexis Paton an internationally recognised and respected academic and writer, with over a decade of experience researching the NHS. A medical sociologist and medical ethicist by training, she is Director of the Centre for Health and Society at Aston University. Outside of Aston, she is Chair of the Royal College of Physicians’ Committee on Ethical Issues in Medicine and a trustee of the Institute of Medical Ethics. She writes a regular opinion column on all things health, society and ethics for the Independent. To keep up with her latest work, follow her on Twitter @dralexispaton.