China’s rapid economic development has led to the emergence of many excellent hospitals in leading cities, but in less advantaged, often rural areas access to healthcare services is inadequate. There is a pressing need for the healthcare system to provide cost effective, evidence-based healthcare to people in all areas. Professor Richard Hubbard’s research uses data accumulated as part of routine clinical care to improve the way patients are looked after. They are taking techniques developed in the UK and trialling them in China, which will lead to the development of cost-effective guidelines to improve healthcare.