BSc (physiology) Manch 1957, MB ChB 1960; FRCS Glas 1966; FRCP Lod 1980; DIC 1971.
Tinker was born in Chorley on 20 January 1936 and was educated at Eccles Grammar School and the University of Manchester. Tinker held resident appointments at MRI and was demonstrator of physiology and research fellow in cardiovascular disease at the University. He later went ot Middlesex Hospital and was director of ITU and postgraduate sub-dean, before being appointed dean of postgraduate medicine at the University of London and North East Thames Regional Health Authority.