Professor Sir Brian Jarman is someone I feel honoured and privileged to call my good friend and mentor. Born in 1933 he began his medical journey during a period of significant change in the UK medical profession. He studied at Cambridge University and later at St Mary’s Hospital, London. He graduated from St Catharine's College, Cambridge with a degree in Natural Sciences in 1954 and subsequently completed a PhD in geophysics at Imperial College in 1960.
After working for Shell for three years, he transitioned to medicine, earning a medical degree from Imperial College in 1969. His early medical career focused on general practice, a field in which he was a strong advocate.
However it was his application of statistical methods to medicine that distinguished him from his peers. Perhaps his most significant contributions came through his work in medical statistics, particularly with the development of the Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio (HSMR). This statistical tool which he pioneered in the 1980s and 1990s, measured hospital performance by comparing the observed number of deaths to the expected number based on factors such as patient demographics and clinical conditions. The HSMR became crucial for identifying underperforming hospitals, leading to improvements in patient care and safety.
Sir Brian has always remained committed to transparency and accountability, believing these principles to be essential for improving healthcare outcomes. His work laid the foundation for modern data use in healthcare management, influencing health policies both in the UK and internationally. Among his many achievements was the introduction of The Jarman Index, which quantified deprived areas where “deprivation payments” were necessary to assist elderly individuals living alone, single parents in overcrowded households, the unemployed, ethnic minorities, and others struggling to meet their basic needs.
In 2003, Sir Brian Jarman was elected President of the British Medical Association (BMA), where he further solidified his legacy as a leader in the medical community. During his presidency he was a vocal advocate for the National Health Service (NHS), emphasising the need for adequate funding while improving working conditions for doctors and maintaining public trust in the healthcare system. He also advocated for greater transparency in hospital performance and healthcare outcomes. He gave the Harveian Oration at the Royal College of Physicians in 1999, on "The Quality of Care in Hospitals.”
Sir Brian’s selfless service in helping to improve healthcare for patients and conditions for doctors was recognised when he received the OBE in 1988 and was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 1998.
His awareness that statistical analysis is essential for making informed and successful decisions in healthcare equally applies to education. When developing any future education system statistical analysis can help us to understand the factors contributing to student success and to allocate resources to those schools most in need.
Professor Sir Brian Jarman’s career exemplifies how dedication to both science and service can lead to profound contributions to society. His advancements in medical statistics and his commitment to transparency, accountability, and patient-centered care have left an indelible mark on modern medicine. He has devoted his life to uplifting those around him and putting others' needs before his own. He has made a profound impact through acts of kindness, generosity, and leadership. Whether through his professional work, mentorship or personal warmth and wisdom, he has benefited many lives including my own. His legacy will be measured not by personal gain but by his remarkable achievements in helping our most vulnerable citizens.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
