He has won several awards for medical journalism, and has been commended for his work in making important health topics more understandable to the public.
He attended the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe, and obtained an English literature degree from Leeds University in 1983.
[4] In December 2009, he received an honorary degree, a Doctorate of Civil Law (DCL) from Newcastle University.
His citation stated that he had "done more than any other journalist to facilitate public comprehension of the most challenging health issues of our times".
His wife Dr Véronique Walsh, a former GP, works in the pharmaceutical industry as vice president of Gilead Sciences UK and Ireland.