Dr. Lister has worked in print journalism since 1974, and has also been involved in public relations and investigative research on health policy in the UK and worldwide.
He is the executive director and founder of London Health Emergency, a pro-NHS public interest group, and has focused on investigative health journalism since 1984 conducting research and consulting for local authorities and campaign groups across England and internationally and for trade unions at the local and regional level.
In addition to producing branch and regional tabloid newspapers for affiliated union bodies, Lister’s research through London Health Emergency has covered a range of subjects, from planned local hospital cutbacks and closures and the financial standing of health care providers in England and Wales, through studies on hospital cleaning, privatization of services, the controversial Private Finance Initiative, care of older people, mental health – and various government proposals for market-style reforms, from Margaret Thatcher’s 1989 "review" and subsequent White Paper, through Tony Blair’s government, and now the current far-reaching plans of the Conservative-led coalition.
[2][3] He has conducted national-level and regional commissioned projects with the largest health union UNISON, and for the BMA.
He is a regular public speaker at meetings on NHS issues throughout England, as well as international conferences and events, and writes a monthly column on health issues for the Morning Star newspaper, and occasionally for other publications including Private Eye.