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Average Customer Rating:

Ex District Midwife

Customer Rating:

This book is excellent, not only is it very funny but very illuminating as to how the NHS works now. As a Conservative Councillor it grieves me to say where Labour have got it right but pulls no punches on where it has gone wrong. I'd recommend every politician or who people who need to use the A& E department to read this book. I happily recommend for anyone who enjoys a good read but wants to learn something as well.

Little has changed... J.S. South Africa

Customer Rating:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which evoked many memories both sad and humorous, having trained and worked in the NHS for over 20 years. The sad factor is that I have been living abroad for 14 years now and it seems little has changed despite the numerous promises from a variety of politicians . The same problems and frustrations are highlighted such as bed management , abuse of the ambulance service etc. It is time the general public knew what really goes on and despite all the problems you certainly appreciate the NHS from a distance. It should be compulsory reading before any further damage can be done to this great institution.

Every politician should have to read this book

Customer Rating:

This is such an important book, despite its light-hearted and readable tone. It made me laugh, it made me cry. It was real and it was worrying. It set out clearly what it's like working in today's NHS. It outlined the problems, it outlined sensible solutions and it highlighted the madness of the current government's schemes. which should make us all fear for our future health provision. And it also told us about comedy items stuck up patients' bottoms. What more could you ask for in a book about A&E? Seriously though, this book should be required reading for all politicians and it should have been reviewed and discussed by the broadsheet newspapers.

Hilariously frank

Customer Rating:

I have just read this book in 3 days - mostly on trains and buses - and had to try very hard not to make a spectacle of myself by laughing too much. Dr Nick paints a heart-warmingly honest portrait of life as an A and E doctor, its ups and downs, celebrations and frustrations, but best of all are the quirky characters he meets. His accounts are hilariously frank whilst still insightful, and compell the reader to a greater understanding of how hospitals work. A brilliant book.

V realistic view on today's NHS

Customer Rating:

I loved this book. It was the sort of book that is so accurate it is scary. I am not a doctor, but it reminded me of working in A+E as a radiographer many moons ago. I have never nodded in agreement and exclaimed "yes! that is really how it is!!" aloud when reading a book on the bus. I agree with the ideas that stem from the book such as the NHS being placed into the hands of the professionals and the patients that use it, and reducing the amount of Governmental control. To those saying that the book is too political, well that is what it is like in today's NHS, too many targets, poor workforce planning etc is something that health professionals have to deal with on an everyday basis. Dr Edwards clearly loves the NHS for what it stands for, but his frustration with how it is managed is justified.