Meet a member: Dr Bashir Qureshi

This month we hear from an ALCS member who is a GP, lecturer and expert witness as well as an author.

Who are you?

I am a medical and public health doctor, author, writer, journalist, broadcaster, lecturer, politician and an expert witness for British courts. I have worked in London since 1964.

What do you write?

I have been writing for UK journals since 1981 on issues related to medicine, healthcare, nutrition, the NHS, child and family matters; and on cultural, religious, non-religious and ethnic issues in medicine and litigation. I have published 230 articles to date. I also write book reviews and appear on radio and TV.

I am also the author of Transcultural Medicine; Dealing with Patients from Different Cultures, published by Springer, which has been widely read both in Britain and abroad, especially by British Army doctors working during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to treat soldiers, prisoners of war and civilians from all backgrounds.

Do you have a ‘day’ job?

As a medical doctor in London since 1964, I have worked at one time or another – sometimes simultaneously – in general practice, public health, community paediatrics, child health and schools, family planning clinics, the British Army, London prisons and in occupational medicine. As an expert witness to the British courts I am a specialist in GP clinical negligence, and because of my book, Transcultural, Medicine, I am the only UK expert witness in cultural, religious and ethnic issues.

I am a human being who enjoys spending my time helping other human beings. I do many jobs at the same time. If one door closes, I find other doors open for me!

I had heard that ALCS cares for British authors in professional matters. They certainly speak up for authors’ rights and collect money to pay them annually. I value their support and feel rewarded.

How useful do you find social media and/or blogging?

I write a blog on the British Medical Association (BMA) website almost every week, and also contribute to the British Medical Journal and BMA News. Actually, I was awarded three John Lewis vouchers of £25 each for contributing prize comments to BMA News, and I put these towards my new three piece suit, which you might see me wearing if I comment on TV this summer!

I also tweet my opinions on Twitter and engage on Facebook.

How long have you been an ALCS member and how did you hear about us?

I became an ALCS member on 2 June 1989. I had heard that ALCS cares for British authors in professional matters. They certainly speak up for authors’ rights and collect money to pay them annually. I value their support and feel rewarded.

For what sort of uses of your work do you receive royalties from ALCS?

I receive royalties from ALCS annually for the photocopying of my book and also for my articles published in journals with ISSN numbers.

Which is your most surprising source of ALCS income?

I am always surprised and pleased to receive ALCS money for photocopying done in universities worldwide. I have an acquired British habit of ‘not boasting’ but I do boast in front of authors who are not ALCS members yet. As a result, some have joined!

Which is your highest-earning work from ALCS income?

My highest earning work is photocopying from my articles, which exceeds my income from copying my book. Perhaps students buy my book but have to copy my articles. Either way, it is a win-win situation for me.

I receive royalties from ALCS annually for the photocopying of my book and also for my articles published in journals with ISSN numbers.

How important are your ALCS payments to you as a writer?

If a doctor tells you that he or she is poor, they are either being economical with the truth or pulling your leg. For some ALCS members, the payments may be a big source of income, but for me they are an award token: a wonderful boost.

What does the future hold for you as a writer?

I shall keep using my brain in writing articles, compiling a new edition of my current book and writing more books. There’s a saying that from the time a person is born until he or she dies, one does nothing but fill time. I am lucky that I have time and opportunity to keep writing.


Dr Bashir Qureshi is a British medical and public health doctor, author, writer, journalist, broadcaster, lecturer and politician, and an expert witness for British courts. Born in India in 1935, he has worked in London since 1964.

@drbashirqureshi
www.drbashirqureshi.com