Jenny Vaughan

Jennifer Rosemary Vaughan (25 June 1968 – 31 March 2024) was a British neurologist and co-lead of The Doctors' Association UK. She specialised in movement disorders, with a focus on Parkinson's disease. Alongside her research, Vaughan campaigned to improve justice within healthcare. She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2023 New Year Honours.

Early life and education Vaughan was born in Bristol on 25 June 1968, and grew up in South West England. Her parents were both teachers. She said that she became interested in a career in medicine after a school trip to Russia. She worked in Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Ealing Hospital.

Alongside her academic research, Vaughan was committed to ending injustice. The campaign, which launched in 2018, looked to empower individual doctors to learn from adverse events and promote a fair environment. She argued that the trials were racially charged, and showed that most doctors in England experiencing medical manslaughter trials were Black or minority ethnic. In 2022 she delivered a TED xNHS talk on reconnecting with hope when things go wrong.

During the COVID-19 pandemic Vaughan campaigned to get proper personal protective equipment and legal protection for healthcare staff.

Personal life and death Vaughan was a Christian. She had two sons, who attended West London private schools, her younger son Christopher starred in musical theatre. Jenny Vaughan died from cancer on 31 March 2024, at the age of 55.

Select publications