Kailash Chand one of the best known GPs in the country, a national figure with a sustained profile for nearly two decades. He is a fluent and articulate writer for a number of newspapers, highlighting the crisis in primary care, funding of the NHS, privatisation, and a range of other issues. He has been passionate in his support of the NHS, and he has worked at very senior levels of the NHS and the BMA. His opinion is canvassed by many of the great and the good on all sides, gaining him many accolades, including OBE for his services to the NHS.
1) What is your current position?
Chairman of Healthwatch Tameside, former GP, Deputy Chairman of BMA and Chairman Tameside and Glossop PCT.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Publicise nationally and internationally the values of universal healthcare, particularly the NHS. I have an OBE for services to the NHS and a number of awards as GP of the year. I was voted one of 50 HSJ BME Pioneer Leaders in 2014 and 2015. My other proud moment has been the recognition of my son Dr Aseem Malhotra as an expert in health matters, and a successful campaigner for the Sugar Tax.
3) What inspires you?
My inspiration comes from injustices. I have a zest for picking on issues that I see need to be sorted out, even if these are lost causes! Whether these are issues of health inequalities, racism, threats to the principles of the NHS, GP crisis, etc.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
I have not had any major obstacles that I could not overcome, but I do get frustrated with unnecessary political meddling and bureaucracy.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
I would say two things – my upbringing with parents who valued equalities and good causes, as well as my background as a doctor. I have had it engrained in me that serving the community is the most noble purpose in life, and I have lived with it since I was a medical student, if not before.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
I see that there are many likeminded people, many of whom will give their time and life selflessly to causes that are dear to me. I often get contacted by people through Twitter and Facebook so this has extended my reach into the community, which I find very satisfying.
7) And the worst?
Misguided people who do a lot of damage to the community and the NHS.
8) What are your long term goals?
Healthcare needs to be a matter of right, regardless of the ability to pay for it, and this has to be a global principle.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would improve funding for the NHS so that the current crisis is reversed and revers the damaging aspects of NHS reforms such as privatisation, marketisation and PFIs immediately.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
My passion aside from health is Urdu poetry. I would give anything to spend time with Mirza Ghalib, who is the Shakespeare of the Indian subcontinent. His poetry gave meaning of life to many, and inspired many other poets and classical singers. I owe him a debt of gratitude for the number of poems I have recited at all kind of gatherings!
