I live in Hackney where I work for Barnardo's CANDL project supporting churches in developing community projects in Hackney and Tower Hamlets. I also do some work for the United Reformed Church including running some seminars on chronic illness and other freelance work and writing.

I have degrees in theology and anthropology and I'm interested, amongst other things, in poetry, Christian mysticism, folk music and mushrooms. If that makes me sound like a hippie — it might not be too far from the truth.

I have suffered from chronic pain for many years and people would probably call this Fibromyalgia but I'm not so sure - for the reasons which my research should make clear!

Having qualified at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, I completed my General Practice training in Worcester and London's East End where I continued to work in a practice in Canning Town. I then pursued my interest in paediatrics in Australia, working as one of the registrars based at Adelaide Children's Hospital. On returning to England I combined part-time General Practice with ongoing paediatric involvement in the West Midlands until joining the Team at Burrswood in 1992. During the past 7 years I've gained a particular interest and expertise in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and palliative care.

Having been working in this field for 10 years my research is based on acquiring insight into how doctor's perceptions and understanding of ME/CFS may have changed over the years. I would also like to see what they really feel are the causes of this fascinating condition. Thirdly I hope to give some overview of current medical approaches, and to bring out of this information a possible way forward.