Critical: Why the NHS is being betrayed and how we can fight for it [Hardcover], Critical 2 Books Collection Set:

by Dr Julia Grace Patterson, Matt Morgan

Please Note That The Following Individual Books As Per Original ISBN and Cover Image In this Listing shall be Dispatched Titles In This Why the NHS is being betrayed and how we can fight for it [Hardcover]Critical Why the NHS is being betrayed and how we can fight for it [Hardcover], Critical 2 Books Collection Why the NHS is being betrayed and how we can fight for it [Hardcover]:‘The NHS is an institution. But it’s also a political football, kicked back and forth between politicians for the past 75 years. It’s a burden to some and a potent vote-winner for others. It’s a construct, framed in the media. It’s a set of ideas and a logo. It’s a workplace for many and the birthplace of almost all of us. It’s become a valued part of our society, it is extraordinarily special – and it’s being destroyed.’There is no room for error in the ICU. Full focus is required at all times.It can be the difference between life and death. Through the remarkable stories of his patients, Dr. Matt Morgan guides you through the body and its organs. He explains how various critical conditions arise, and all that goes into treating them – from the science, research and technology, to the tireless efforts of the doctors and nurses. This book gives you powerful insights about intensive care, many of which may prevent you, or those close to you, from ending up there. It will even teach you how to save a life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Medicine

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who cares about whether or not we live in a fair & compassionate society here in the UK would be well advised to read this book. The author is doing a fantastic job of raising awareness of the neglect & harm that has been done to the NHS (and therefore patients) by successive governments. The mainstream media tend not to give this issue the profile it deserves, and when they do they tend to blame / scapegoat staff & clinicians.
The author manages to inspire, and shows we can have influence as individuals if we care enough.
Highly recommended reading. 5 stars+++

[Oliver Schiffmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A read that seems essential to anyone living in the UK, especially if you plan on growing old! The book is broken up into a few large chapters which when coupled with the authors imperative tone make it hard to put down. To me it was a shocking reveal as to how far the NHS has fallen after an extended period of poor/evil government policy. Suitably depressing and extremely relevant (2023) so 5 stars.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply insightful look at what it is we must fight to protect. A startling look at the political gaslighting we have been subject to at the hands of a Conservative government who is accelerating towards 'death by a thousand budget cuts'.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and insightful

Thoroughly researched and well written expose of government dismantling of NHS in England. A vital voice for the NHS, Julia also demonstrates the power of campaigning, to shed light on Westminster government’s deliberate destruction of public services, in favour of private profit.

[mia forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it. will be reccomending it to everyone i know. it is rare that a nonfiction non-memoir book makes me cry but pg 193 made me sob on a boat. i am going to make everyone read this. it is so good. going to reread in like a few months prob. only thing missing is an appendix with a graph of funding for NHS, and a timeline of policies/bills/big changes introduced. but that’s just for me because i like figures

[Charlotte Wye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Infuriating, frightening, but somehow doesn’t lose hope. Makes you so angry at the government. Made me understand the damage of privatisation.

[Kathryn Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent summary of how politicians have failed the NHS, and an acknowledgment of how important it is to the majority of the British people. Clear guidelines on what is needed to save the NHS. Everybody should read this.

[Arthur Halsall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book with some insightful facts around the current state and detriment of the NHS. The overall prognosis and call to action was ardent but in a grounded way. It was good to get more of an understanding surrounding the socio-political context of NHS privatisation and growing public concern this relates to.

The book did however seem to ramble a bit around the mid to late section. It felt as though it lacked a solid structure at points and the author seemed to just repeat the same points. The good news is that that leaves a clear message but as a reader this just felt quite repetitive without much depth.

One suggestion I have would have been for the author to co-author a few chapters with an NHS historian who could really provide some depth to the slow privatisation and cut backs of the NHS. The book really had an opportunity to clearly outline the timeline of decades from one decade to the next to briefly pinpoint which policies from which parties did what to the NHS. Which then could be traced as a comparative analysis to the spend needed against an ageing demographic etc. I think just a chapter going through each decade from the NHS’s inception to now with the contents mentioned above would really instil (with pertinent depth) the changes that have slowly occurred over time and allow the reader to map that out in their head.

Other than this I thought it was a good book and I hope it spreads some messaging for us to band together and help save the NHS.

[Drew Pyke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was a good and easy read. Was disappointed in the lack of depth in some parts. There was some really important elements that supported her argument that just wasn't in the book (if her premise is the NHS is harmed with private providers taking on short-term contracts for profit - a belief that I also share). Some examples:

Palantir taking on the Federated Data Platform in NHS England is a true scandal given the reputation of the provider (and it's CEO)
Andrew Lansley reforms effectively put all commissioning into the GPs with negative consequences for contracting

She made some points about the Health and Care Act 2022 making it a lot easier for private providers to get in but didn't offer any explanation why that would be the case

Also, it would've been good to have some more positive stories about how the NHS has developed some products in-house to shift that reliance away from the private sector, such as the NHS App or NHS Notify as working examples. These are stories that innovative things can be done without the private sector holding our hand.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can see this as a series of lectures. Passionate speeches about the NHS, the state it is in, and the causes.

Those causes being political, across parties, across decades. And it’s weird that it is not daily news. Unless the waiting lists are longer, the staff shortage growing, it’s just not “news”. The numbers need to grow to reach the headlines, despite the deterioration.

This leads to the final chapter (SPOILERS) on the solution. They are what you may suspect: pay staff, invest in the buildings, pay off the PFI debit, fix the IT, stop out-sourcing. “The money involved, the staggering sums, are difficult to estimate [...] But to my mind, this is not a question of costs, it is one of priority.”

[Benisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call me bias but this book states nothing but facts! An amazing read full of truth and statistics!

I really enjoyed this book. At first, I was afraid that it would be too dense for me but it was short, simple and easy to understand. It went over the struggles the NHS is currently going through, why it is going through them, and all the false promises the government have made!

Only criticism I have for this book is that I couldn’t understand the difference between the chapters as I felt that the content was slightly repetitive. Other than that, it was a great read and definitely worth it especially if you’re interested in what is currently going on. But even if you’re not, I do feel like this is a book you should pick up regardless!

[William Nicol · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent exposition of what is wrong with the NHS in the UK, why it should neither be used as a political football nor a profit source for vulture opportunists, and an outline of what could be done to fix the problems.
I am old enough to remember my grandfather telling of his grim days as a pharmacist in one of the poorer areas of Glasgow between the world wars. He, and his fellow chemists, formed the only source of health care and advice for thousands. The UK is in great danger of returning to those days should the remonstrances of Dr Patterson and like-minded individuals be ignored.

[Nicola Dorrall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just read Critical in 2 days. What an insightful, thoughtful, and lovely written book. Written by an ICU doctor who shares his passion and worries for those in need of his services. But it's not just about him. He is very much part of a team who works tirelessly for all. He's candid about the pitfalls of the NHS, but his passion shines through. I really recommend this book as it offers a moving insight into how doctors manage their own emotions for the benefit of the families they encounter.

[Iván Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passionate defence of the NHS being fully brought back into public hands. If you are a leftie then it won’t tell you anything you don’t already support, but it is obviously a stronger defence when given by a doctor, who can see why it is that public ownership is superior specifically in the health system.
It is slightly preaching to the converted, in that right wing people would be unmoved by its conclusions. However, its exhortations to those of us who do care about the NHS do make you want to take action in a more active way.

[Spencer Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to understand what's happening with the NHS then this is a book you simply MUST read. It covers all the major points and provides evidence for the tragedy thats unfolding ... TLDR deliberate underfunding and (not so stealth) privatisation ... but privitisation won't work the numbers don't add up.

[Saana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mielenkiintoinen kirja, suuri osa aiheista olivat verrattavissa Suomen järjestelmän vaiheisiin. Sai miettimään oikeudenmukaisuuden kokemusta potilaana ja sen vaikutuksia laajemmin. puuttui lääkeyhtiöiden käsittely sekä pohdinnat priorisoinnin etiikasta, mutta niistä toki riittäisi aineksia erilliseen kirjaan.

[Cal]

I decided to read this to get a better insight into what people who work within the NHS actually feel about it so i can try write better for my dissertation
my god it is actually worse than i thought, like i appreciated the insight into cases/perspectives that would/have not been mentioned by the media

[Jordan Pugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is well-written and an accurate depiction of current issues within the NHS. Although it hit the point, it was lacking clear examples of those issues and detailed explanations for how they came to be. Most of this book could be condensed down to a concise essay. But the general agenda of the book is absolutely spot on.

[Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent history of the National Health Service from a first hand perspective. It contains lots of sage advice on how to stop multi-national corporations, think-tanks and politicians from destroying this much valued public institution.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone connected with the NHS PFI deals and/or the furthering of the privatisation of UK healthcare should be in jail for sabotage of a public service. Oh and for the staggering number of deaths, too.

[Odette Lattimer]

Absolutely outstanding

This is a must read

[Camisado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really important and thought-provoking read.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well researched exploration into the current and historic threats facing the NHS.

[Cathy Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read !! The NHS needs all our help but there is a lot we can all do to save it !

[Scott MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read and a call to action to each and every individual who relies upon healthcare free at the point of need.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful, insightful and interesting view of much that has gone wrong with the NHS in the last two decades. However very few actual solutions to the problems are offered

[Lizzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish it. The writing is very repetitive and not concise. The content of the book is good but it feels too much like reading a journal article thats really long rather than a book.

[Chloe Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depressing read but well written and speaks the truth about the destruction of the NHS by politicians (mainly Tories)

[Tim Lucas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with pretty much all the points here. I just don't think this book is going to change anyone's mind about anything. It added very little to what I already know. And doubt it would persuade someone who was for privatisation.