Pioneering Patient Advocate Marianne Rigge Leaves Lasting Legacy

Marianne Rigge, a passionate public advocate for NHS patients, passed away in November 2025 at the age of 77. As the daughter of a GP, Rigge had firsthand experience navigating the healthcare system as a patient. In 1983, she co-founded the national charity College of Health with renowned social entrepreneur Michael Young, with the aim of putting patient needs at the center of treatment and care decisions.

For 20 years, Rigge ran the College of Health, which helped thousands of people access medical information and advocate for their interests. She was a pioneer in publishing hospital waiting lists, a service that allowed patients to find treatment sooner by traveling to different consultants around the country. Rigge also gave talks to doctors, sharing the actual experiences and views of patients to influence the medical community.

Despite initially being daunted as a young woman without medical qualifications, Rigge's gift for writing and speaking allowed her to make a significant impact. She wrote articles for various publications and frequently provided a patient's perspective to television news producers. Rigge's tireless efforts to empower NHS patients were recognized when she was appointed OBE in 2000.