Professor Mark Ashworth

June  22nd, 1956 October  8th, 2024
London
Professor Mark Ashworth

Obituary

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Dr Mark Ashworth, a dedicated GP Partner at Hurley from 1985 to 2016. His unwavering commitment to family medicine, demonstrated through his research, teaching, training, and support of numerous doctors and students worldwide, serves as an inspiration to us all.

Mark was a special GP, always mindful that we needed to attend to patients who had difficulty attending the surgery. He was always on his bike, visiting the housebound or when the practice’s childhood immunisation rates were dropping to worryingly low levels, calling on the homes of those who had slipped through the net and offering to immunise the children, there and then. When his research (using an award-winning methodology, which he created called DataNet) found that a small subset of our Portuguese population had very high A&E attendees (as they came from an area in Portugal which did not have a tradition of general practice), he led a targeted education campaign in Lambeth and Portuguese-speaking services. He cared for the homeless, those who injected drugs, the patients in one of the local alcohol rehabilitation centres and the mentally ill.

Mark was a very integral person at the Hurley Clinic, the medical director for the Group and subsequently a Professor at Kings College London. He was always smiling, relentlessly optimistic, kind, caring, compassionate, willing to help colleagues, and very ‘up to date’ with medical knowledge. His dedication to patient care and commitment to the practice over the years have made a lasting impact on the staff and the local community.

Mark Ashworth qualified in medicine from Southampton University in 1979. Early in his career, he was drawn to tropical medicine, driven by a passion for understanding and alleviating health issues in the developing world. He trained at the London School of Hygiene. He spent a transformative year working in India and Nepal, where he focused on the immunology of Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium responsible for leprosy and other conditions such as bladder stones. However, in 1985, he found his true calling and began a 30-year career in primary care at the Hurley Clinic in SE London. This change marked the start of a remarkable journey in primary care about providing compassionate care to his patients and expanding the boundaries of research in the field. His work exemplified the richness of primary care as a research resource, using data from general practice to uncover insights into long-term conditions, healthcare inequalities, and the mental-physical health interface.

Dr Ashworth’s first significant research interest as a GP focused on benzodiazepine withdrawal, a topic of critical importance in addressing prescription drug dependency. He later shifted his focus toward mental health outcomes and inequalities in healthcare, harnessing the power of ‘big data’ to study health disparities. This innovative approach significantly advanced our understanding of healthcare inequalities. In recent years, his work centred on multimorbidity—the interactions between different long-term conditions within each patient and how they accumulate, progress, or collide over time. This research was instrumental in enhancing the understanding of how chronic conditions interact, improving the quality of care for many patients. He went on to develop a patient-focused research tool called Psychlops, which is now used by thousands of researchers worldwide. In 2004, Dr Ashworth earned his Doctorate, further cementing his dedication to advancing primary care research. After more than three decades in clinical practice, he left the NHS in 2016 to focus full-time on academic primary care. Throughout his career, he combined his clinical expertise with a sharp research mind, contributing to a body of work that has helped improve the quality of care for countless patients.

Mark was not only a respected GP and researcher but also a beloved educator. His humility, passion, and generosity in mentoring the next generation of doctors and researchers have left an indelible mark on the field. His inaugural lecture at King's College London in 2022 was a testament to his extraordinary career and his dedication to passing on his knowledge and experience.

He was always very proud of Datanet, the combined dataset of primary care, secondary care, and public health in Lambeth. It was game-changing to see how data could shape a local service. His contributions to medicine and research will be remembered for years to come.

He leaves behind a family: his wife, Susan, four children, six granddaughters, colleagues, and a vast network of students and fellow researchers inspired by his work. He also leaves behind his original partners, David, Frances, Clare, Arvind, Murray and the new generation, Ben, Ross, Nishma, Gavin, Sanjay, Mike, Chief Executive Rylla and staff at Hurley, as well as the patients he served and loved.

It has been an honour and privilege to work with him.


Professor Dame Clare Gerada PRCGP FRCPsych
Past President Royal College of General Practitioners
Director National Primary Care Gambling Service
Patron Doctors in Distress
Partner Hurley Group
@clareGerada






Tributes

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/a-tribute-to-professor-mark-ashworth

Gallery


Memory Wall

Post your condolences or share your Memories.


November 10, 2024
I was really sad to hear about the passing of Prof Mark Ashworth last week from King's College London. I never had the chance to work with him but I do remember a moment we shared when at SAPC: The Society for Academic Primary Care conference 2019.

Weeks before the conference I spectacularly fell short of a fellowship which I expected to secure. I was embarrassed and felt I should have done a lot better. I considered leaving academia.

I remember being sat to Prof Ashworth and Prof Tess Harris. They both reassured me that peaks and troughs were part of academia, and probably part of life. Prof Ashworth agreed to chat with me online to discuss possible research avenues which helped further.

It's these little moments which are crucial for humanity, to make sure we don't feel alone. No one has it all figured out. It might not feel a lot to another person but a little kindness and encouragement goes a long way. Thanks Prof. RIP.
Dipesh Gopal
November 7, 2024
So sorry to hear that Mark has very sadly died. I can’t believe he won’t still be here advocating for patients and coming up with ideas for research at Kings. He made such an impact to the health of the people of south London over his career. He was always open to new ideas and making new connections and was very supportive to me when I ever approached him for help. He will be sorely missed.
Emma Rowley-Conwy
November 6, 2024
I will forever be immensely proud of being Mark's first PhD student. I wrote a blog here capturing just some of the happiest of memories I hold of Mark: https://mariakordowicz.medium.com/things-my-phd-supervisor-taught-me-76358654f389
I miss him dearly. Mark truly was a golden human being.
Maria Kordowicz
November 2, 2024
We have been patients at Hurley since 1981 and most of the Doctors there were great but Dr. Ashworth was exceptional.. Whenever I saw him away from the surgery he always called me and my partner and children by our christian names. The last time I saw him was at his leaving do in the surgery, he will be remembered fondly by my family and we send our condolences to his family and friends.
valerie searle
October 29, 2024
Although I haven’t worked closely with Mark since 2016 whenever we spoke it was as if we had seen each other the day before. He was calm when things were chaotic, caring, and compassionate when things were going wrong and he always gave consistent and constructive advice. Like others I remember his notebook with tiny writing that ensured he didn’t forget anything, his cycling helmet and sense of him always ‘going somewhere’ or ‘doing something,’ perpetually in motion. His enthusiasm, sense of fun and joy in the ‘small things’ were infectious and made those around him feel good. We were arranging an event with and for Mark in November when he told us that his condition had worsened and that he might not be able to attend and I said we would come up with Plan B – I so wish there had been a plan B. I miss you Mark and my heart goes out to Susan and the family at this time. Thank you and lots of love.
Rylla Baker
October 28, 2024
Dr Mark Ashworth was amazing doctor, very caring and I would like to send my condolences to his family and friends
Ann-Marie Humphrey
October 25, 2024
Professor Mark Ashworth

Dr Mark Ashworth was my doctor from when I was a child, tenager and adult at the Hurley Clinic Ebernezer House
Kennington Lane SE11.
Dr Ashworth was a wonderful supportive doctor at all times.
I would like to send my condolsences to his family and friends.
Regards Gigi
Gigi
October 24, 2024
Dear Mark - your warmth and care will be dearly dearly missed. I was so privilidged to know you and work with you on multi morbidity studies 2019 till last year. Lambeth and its people were healthier and better off thanks to your dedication and commitment. I am so sad to have said good bye to you this summer, for the last time unknowingly. Rest in peace. You are missed. BARBARA
Barbara Reichwein
October 24, 2024
Dear Mark, such a great colleague, such an enthusiast for life and excellent medical practice. I had the honour of being your appraiser for a few years and I was always in awe of your aims and achievements.
Love to your friends, colleagues and family
Sally Whittet
October 23, 2024
We were saddened to hear Prof. Ashworth's passing. We were both patients at Hurley Clinic since 1997. He was our first Doctor who treated us many years after. He was a good doctor and a good person, kind, compassionate, traditional family doctor of the past.
Sadly missed.
Mr & Mrs Mickleborough
October 22, 2024
I only really met Mark relatively recently when I volunteered in all my ignorance to sit on the SEL Data Usage Committee, and then Lambeth DataNet. As others have commented, he was warm and welcoming, and even though I knew very little about the topics he always made me feel my questions were valued. He genuinely cared about good quality research and data, but was always clear it had to be purposeful and transparent, bringing everyone along with informed consent - researchers, GPs and patients alike. He will be much missed.
Penelope Jarrett
October 22, 2024
I started at Hurley in 1984 when I was 17 and have many fond, happy memories of 'Dr Ashworth' when he started the year after me. We all worked there at the time, my mum Maisie and my sister Carol. We used to have so much fun and would always be playing so many pranks. Like the time we created a set of notes for Mr Bayer, first name Teddy. During that time they would call the patient over the annoying. Mark got no response so came out to the waiting room to greet the patient to find a teddy bear sitting on the seat. He had a strong sense of humour and would wonder what joke we'd pull next. So many funny stories. He was such a kind, thoughtful man too. I remember my sisters car was in the garage and he used to sometimes drive his green VW Golf, he lent it to her for a week whilst it was being repaired. He would always try to help everyone if he could. At that time I used to go to a club in Clapham called Southsides at the weekend and every Monday morning he'd like to hear all about it! He was such a genuine, friendly person and so approachable. I was so sorry to hear of his death and am thinking of Susan and his children at this sad time.
Jenni Ali
October 22, 2024
I first met Mark to discuss the Lambeth DataNet and then for the last few years I have worked with him on the SEL ICS IG group. Whilst he attended this group with his academic primary care research hat on, he always supported GPs and myself on this group with helping the SEL IG group to understand the GP perspective with his words of wisdom. He will be deeply missed on this group and in Lambeth. He was a lovely person and a good friend to Londonwide LMCs. RIP Mark
Nicola Kirwan-Williams
October 21, 2024
I first met Mark when I started in the Hurley Group back in 2007, despite my lack of nhs experience, he made me feel welcome and was always up for a laugh even down to his obscure lunch requests. He was great to work with and will be truly missed. RIP.
Daniel Lawrence
October 20, 2024
I met Mark in the early days of our medical training back in 1979. My memory of him then and at subsequent reunions over 50 years was of his big smile ,always smiling, and his cheerful and enthusiastic outlook on life. We had all hoped to see him at our upcoming 50th year reunion but very sadly this was not to be.
He was a great credit to Southampton Medical school and to the profession. He will be greatly missed.
Susy James
October 19, 2024
As a newly qualified health visitor, I had the privilege of working with Mark at the Hurley clinic, from 2001 to 2008.
He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble. The families really appreciated his medical wisdom, warmth and unwavering commitment to them.

Sending deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, past and present Hurley colleagues.

Katherine Evans
October 19, 2024
I first worked with Mark back in Jan 2001. He was kind and thoughtful and always there for everyone. He loved a banana and brie bap for lunch and was very proud of his London to Brighton cycles with his son. He taught me patience. He was an excellent trainer, a gentleman and a scholar. He touched the lives of so many. He is truly missed. RIP Mark
Sioux Thorn
October 18, 2024
Dr Ashworth was my GP until I left for university. As an asthmatic child, I saw him a lot. Always pleasant, always helpful, always cheerful and quick on his bike. I saw him last year, on his bike, and he was shocked that I had recognised him from afar and I was proud to introduce him to my son.
RIP Dr Ashworth.
Aminata Kanu
October 18, 2024
I am deeply saddened to hear about Mark's death. Mark was my supervisor and colleague on and off over the past 13 years, supporting me in my academic GP work via King's even when I lived abroad. We had just published another paper together using Lambeth DataNet. Mark was a constant source of encouragement, support and positivity, His enthusiasm was contagious and an encounter with Mark would brighten up any dull day! My sincere condolences to his family. He is already very much missed.
Lucy McDonnell
October 18, 2024
I was fortunate enough to have Mark as my GP trainer at the Hurley in 2005/6. Always enthusiastic, supportive and so full of energy. A great teacher and mentor. I will be forever grateful to the fates that sent me to SE11! Rest in peace, Mark and thank you for everything. Julia Foley
Dr Julia Foley
October 18, 2024
I am so sad to hear of Mark’s passing. I met Dr Ashworth on my first day working at the Hurley Clinic 12 years ago. I was nervous and he was kind and positive and continued to be, never faltering in making staff and patients feel at ease. He was genuinely, one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. He will be missed.
Lucy Sammut
October 18, 2024
I co supervised a successfully completed Phd with mark on 'badly rated' GP practices - I was from King's Business School. at KCL so came from a very different background.

I remember his extreme open ness to different perspectives and disciplines with great fondness, as well as his enthusiasm and warm energy.

He was a joy to work with.
ewan ferlie
October 17, 2024
So sad to hear the news. Mark was the first GP I met when I came to work in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham in 1990. He was so positive, kind, inspiring and above all, a friend.
Peter Holland
October 17, 2024
Dear Mark
It was a delight to have known you over our years in Lambeth General Practice. You never did open that surgery in Daymer Bay- I would have been there like a shot! . Heartfelt condolences to your family
Paula
Paula Marsden
October 17, 2024
We valued the contribution Mark made to raising standards of general practice in South London through teaching training and his involvement with SLOVTS. We will remember him as a kind approachable caring man with enormous talents who did so much for so many patients and colleagues. He will be greatly missed.
Budgie and Dick Savage
October 17, 2024
Dr Mark Ashworth was the first person we met at Lister in 2008 when Hurley took over to Lister . He was so nice and very decent person we had been worked at Lister / Hurley. I'm truly saddened to hear this news. In loving memory of a truly remarkable doctor, your legacy of kindness will forever inspire us. You will be deeply missed.
Rest in peace Dr Ashworth xxx

our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families
Ei Ei Ko
October 17, 2024
I met Dr Ashworth (or Mark as he fondly became known) on my very first day working at the Hurley Clinic back in 2004! He taught me what the medical term 'MI' stood for and what it was and 20 years later, still working for the NHS as a medical secretary, I still remember that to this day! Mark was one of the nicest people I've been lucky to meet and I will remember him always. His smile and personality with live on through our memories. Rest in peace Mark xx
Alison Lambert
October 17, 2024
I met Mark in my previous life as a commissioner in Lambeth. The practice was in my patch and I was the locality manager, which meant I used to manage their contract. Mark was always the kindest listener, open to feedback and always focused on academic training and developing GPs and new initiatives. Then after I moved to Londonwide LMCs almost 15 years ago, our paths crossed again in various meetings and colleague leaving dos, and his genuine joy in catching up was heart warming. I remember the little notebook he carried around with him and his tiny handwriting. He always made time for people and remembered important things about them. He will be sorely missed, what a lovely human being.
My thoughts are with Mark's family at this very difficult time.
Warm regards
Vicky
Vicky Ferlia
October 17, 2024
I was fortunate enough to have known Mark since the late nineties. Over the years we met in different forums working in collaboration across Lambeth and Southwark. We became quite close during my tenancy as Southwark CCG Chair. Having lead the transformation of a Southwark practice, we were able to tempt him to become a clinical lead. He brought his enthusiasm, drive and passion to the table. He was a real champion of quality and improvement. Mark had a unique ability to make people feel valuable. He was modest, kind and full of humanity. He will be greatly missed
Amr Zeineldine
October 17, 2024
I had the opportunity to work with Professor Ashworth on a short research project. His knowledge and insight into the primary care sector were unparalleled, and his advice opened our eyes. His work bridged the gap between academia, practitioners, and the commercial sector. Although it was only a two-month project, it remains one of my most memorable pieces of work, for which I cannot thank him enough. My thoughts are with his family.
TK Lo
October 16, 2024
One of the nicest people I have ever met, so gentle and kind. When Mark asked you how you were doing you really felt that he genuinely cared, may his beautiful soul now rest in peace xx
Tracy Crossfield
October 16, 2024
It was a pleasure to work with you Mark. May your soul rest in peace xx
Rajni Chandegra
October 16, 2024
It was a pleasure working with you at the clinic in 2010/11. You will be missed. May your soul RIP.
Love Dina xxx
Dina Chandegra
October 16, 2024
I am going to miss you Mark, you were an inspiration to me.. Every time we met you would smile and tell me things you had seen, read or come across. Your intelligence, wit and charm were very endearing. We did many good thins together as neighborhood practices in North Lambeth and the patients and staff really benefited. Thank you for the good times and many laughs.
Raj Mitra
October 16, 2024
Dr Ashworth was one the humblest and approachable Doctor that I have worked with both while a Partner at Hurley Group and also with the Kings Undergraduate Medical Education.
He is a Dr that I would offer a cup of tea (I don’t often do that), because his presence was always reassuring and a great source of clinical support. He would come to cover GP role while the New Cross Walk-In Centre / GP practice were both operating at the same time.
His comforting voice and presence will be missed by all who had the greatest opportunity to work with him.
Wilhel
Wilhel Powell
October 16, 2024
I was very saddened to hear about the loss of Mark. My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. He had such an enthusiastic and positive attitude to life and his work - despite his illness. It has been a huge privilege to work with Mark over the last two decades on developing and embedding Lambeth DataNet as both a research and public health tool. Lambeth DataNet was conceived as an idea by Dr Richard Williams (another Lambeth GP) and Dr Sarah Corlett (Public Health Consultant). It was Mark who developed it as a research tool and we were very excited when DataNet won the "Value in Healthcare" HSJ award tackling health inequalities at a local level. More recently I learnt so much from his mentorship as we co-led the multi-morbidity project again using Lambeth DataNet. I and the rest of the Lambeth DataNet team will miss him profoundly. Rest in peace dear Mark. ❤️
Hiten Dodhia
October 16, 2024
I met Mark early on in my Career in General Practice. His dedication and commitment to his community was always evident. My deepest condolences to his family,friends & colleagues on your loss.
Magda Branker
Magda Branker
October 16, 2024
I first met Mark when we founded eConsult, and he was one of the original clinical content writers. He was always incredibly kind and patient, always taking time to explain things in what was a new domain to me.

It was immediately obvious how highly liked and respected Mark was by everyone he worked with, able to elevate anyone with his kindness and positive demeanour.

My deepest condolences to Mark’s family and friends.
Steve Lillywhite
October 15, 2024
I worked for and with Mark for 2 years at the Hurley Clinic and then had intermittent contact regarding research. He remains one of the most positive and encouraging individuals I have ever worked with. Kind, approachable and always constructive. He is one of those people you encounter who impacted you always in a positive way. I am sad to hear the news. I will always remember how he was always pleased to see you.
Steven Hunt
October 15, 2024
I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Mark Ashworth. He was not only a valued colleague but also welcomed me into the Hurley group with open arms and supported me when my mother was sick.
Mark brought warmth, dedication, and a unique spirit to the Hurley leaving a lasting impact on all who had the privilege to work alongside him.
During this difficult time, please know that my thoughts are with everyone affected by this loss.
Rujina Begum
October 15, 2024
This is very sad news. I knew Mark when we worked closely together at the Hambleden Clinic, back in 2010! his enthusiasm and diligence was infectious to all the team, we achieved so much. He was one of a kind, a mentor, friend and a wonderful human being. My condolences to his family at this difficult time.
Nick Christou
October 15, 2024
Its with a heavy heart that I write this, Mark was my boss and friend for many years and we shared a love of tropical medicine. I have worked with Mark developing my career as Medical Director and followed in his big foot steps which I am still trying to fill, taking on the role of Medical Director and Responsible Officer when he retired. He has always been supportive, inspiring and impossibly positive no matter how bad things felt. He championed high quality clinical care and fought to ensure everyone got the same high quality care. Always thinking about others before himself. His loss will leave a hole in the primary care community and in the lives of all who knew him.
Deepest condolences for his family. Mark, you will be missed. May your soul rest in peace.
Nishma Shah
October 15, 2024
Mark was such a huge part of my ‘Hurley life”. I will never forget his compassionate and calm approach when we started working at the Lister which held us all together , both me in my first ever practice manager role and the slightly displaced and anxious workforce who had no idea what to expect from us. I will forever think of him heading off on his bike to deliver a flu jab, or just reach someone who might have been missed otherwise, I have nothing but positive memories of working with Mark and he will be very much missed.
Joanna Betterton
October 15, 2024
I was deeply saddened to hear of Mark's passing. He truly was one of a kind—a GP who lived not just for his patients but also for his colleagues. His infectious humour brightened even the busiest days, and his extraordinary knowledge of QoF, especially his "creative" methods for hitting those targets, is something I will chuckle about for years to come.
Mark's warmth, wit, and wisdom touched everyone he worked with and will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to you during this difficult time.

Stephanie Smith
October 15, 2024
Mark was my GP trainer, mentor, and dear friend for 30 years. He didn’t just teach me clinical skills, he showed me how to navigate life’s challenges with remarkable humour, grace, and, most of all, kindness. As a doctor, he was exceptional. As a patient, he was even more extraordinary with a unique ability to turn adversity into a celebration. After surviving far beyond his diagnosis, he took the very team who cared for him out for drinks, embodying the same warmth and generosity that defined his life. Ashu and I will always remember you dearly, and miss you Mark.
Arvind
October 15, 2024
My deepest condolences to Mark's family and friends. I have heard such wonderful things about him. I am so sorry for your loss, thinking of you and wishing you strength at this difficult time.
Misha Patel
October 15, 2024
We went through Medical School together and it was so sad to hear of his death. Such an inspiring and positive man. My heart felt condolence's to his family.
Dr Ian Dumbelton
October 15, 2024
I've known Mark 50 years! We started Medical school in1974 together and have celebrated our ' half century' several happy times this year. A rare intellect and a most caring , positive man. You are deeply missed by everyone who was luck enough to meet you.
Prof. Gillian Ross
October 14, 2024
Strange how you hear such similar experiences about Mark. After first meeting him I remember asking "is he really that nice?". Yes, yes he was. I can't picture his face without a smile. His relentless enthusiasm rubbed off on everyone he came into contact with. It was a privilege to have worked with him and learn from his huge experience in his field. A true gentleman in the finest sense of the word.
Ross Dyer-Smith
October 14, 2024
Before I met Mark I had been told my first impressions would be he was too good to be true, but that he was every bit what he seemed. I soon appreciated they were so right.
Anyone who had dealings with Mark whether personal, colleagues or patients were the better for having known him.
He will be missed beyond measure.
Sheila Connellan
October 14, 2024
Such a wonderful friend and partner. We had more than 30 years working together - every moment was a joy. You filled the world with life, hope and compassion. It was an honour to work with you. Lots of love,
Clare Gerada
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