In a previous life Ian Banks was once a television repair man. He might not be able to cure you but he can do wonders for your vertical hold. He has four children, delivering one himself. “Not quite the same as child birth but at least I got to shout ‘push’.”

While working part-time as a family doctor and A&E officer in Belfast, he also represents GPs for the British Medical Association and is a member of Council for the UK. Being a trustee for the Doctor Patient Partnership and a member of the Consumer Health Information Centre fits with his role as the official spokesman on men’s health issues for the BMA,  president of the European, England & Wales and Ireland Men’s Health Forum and for six years the medical editor for The Men’s Health Magazine. The BBC book ‘The Trouble with Men’ was written by Ian in 1996 to accompany the television series of the same name. It was followed by Men’s Health, The Good Patient Guide, The Children's Health Guide, Get Fit with Brittas, Men’s Health in General Practice, Ask About Sex and the 50th NHS Anniversary book from the NHSE/HEA The Home Medicine Guide. He is also the author of the NHS Direct Healthcare Guide and Web site.”. Ian is the editor of the Men's Health Journal and the UEMO Clinical Journal. His latest books are “the Dad’s Survival guide” and the Haynes” Man Workshop Manual”. He is at present working on the Haynes “Baby Workshop manual”. Home is a small GM free farm in Northern Ireland.