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A Matter of Life and Death: Courage, compassion and the fight against coronavirus - a palliative care nurse's story
It was a low-level panic at first, but very quickly there were big changes taking place. Day by day, wards were being cleared to make way for Covid-positive patients. Things were getting worse by the day. For the first time in my nursing career, I felt scared.
As a palliative care nurse, it is Kelly Critcher's job to look death in the eye - to save a patient while the fight can still be won, and confront death with grace and kindness when it can't.
In early 2020, everything changed for nurses on the NHS frontline. Working on Covid wards and the High Dependency Unit, Kelly spent the height of the coronavirus crisis at Northwick Park hospital - perhaps the UK hospital most deeply ravaged by the illness.
She, and many others like her, battled tirelessly in a critical care unit pushed to breaking point, delivering the bad news and fighting the good fight, day-in, day-out, throughout the gravest test our health service has faced since its inception.
Kelly's story weaves together her raw, emotional diaries from the COVID frontline with a broader reflection on the truths about a life spent caught between battling for her patients' lives and helping them face down death with courage and compassion. Bringing together the enormity of the last twelve months - and the scars it will leave - this is a book for our times.
As a palliative care nurse, it is Kelly Critcher's job to look death in the eye - to save a patient while the fight can still be won, and confront death with grace and kindness when it can't.
In early 2020, everything changed for nurses on the NHS frontline. Working on Covid wards and the High Dependency Unit, Kelly spent the height of the coronavirus crisis at Northwick Park hospital - perhaps the UK hospital most deeply ravaged by the illness.
She, and many others like her, battled tirelessly in a critical care unit pushed to breaking point, delivering the bad news and fighting the good fight, day-in, day-out, throughout the gravest test our health service has faced since its inception.
Kelly's story weaves together her raw, emotional diaries from the COVID frontline with a broader reflection on the truths about a life spent caught between battling for her patients' lives and helping them face down death with courage and compassion. Bringing together the enormity of the last twelve months - and the scars it will leave - this is a book for our times.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2021
12 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 27, 2021
Amazing!!! From start to finish! Found it hard to put down at times!
Everyone - nurse or not- needs to read this book!
Eye opening! Inspiring! Relatable! Informative! Enjoyable! So many words I could use.
Just read it!
Everyone - nurse or not- needs to read this book!
Eye opening! Inspiring! Relatable! Informative! Enjoyable! So many words I could use.
Just read it!
December 8, 2021
A haunting yet inspiring insight of the courage and battle of those on the front line during the start and peak of the Coronavirus.
We start with the life of Kelly before Coronavirus, working within Palliative care, and the different battles and patients she would meet. Then, Kelly found herself in the mist of Coronavirus, volunteering up close and seeing the full impact of Coronavirus.
This is an incredible read, absolutely eye-opening. It's devastating, brutal and shows the full impact of the virus that completely changed the world. How lucky we are to have the NHS and all the staff, especially during Coronavirus. Absolutely worth the read!
Thank you to all the NHS staff, and everyone who put themselves at risk to help within the different jobs/sectors during the brutal wave and peak of the pandemic. You're all absolutely incredible.
We start with the life of Kelly before Coronavirus, working within Palliative care, and the different battles and patients she would meet. Then, Kelly found herself in the mist of Coronavirus, volunteering up close and seeing the full impact of Coronavirus.
This is an incredible read, absolutely eye-opening. It's devastating, brutal and shows the full impact of the virus that completely changed the world. How lucky we are to have the NHS and all the staff, especially during Coronavirus. Absolutely worth the read!
Thank you to all the NHS staff, and everyone who put themselves at risk to help within the different jobs/sectors during the brutal wave and peak of the pandemic. You're all absolutely incredible.
May 28, 2021
Such an emotional read which displays the account of a palliative care nurse during her career and specifically Covid. What an amazing career to be able to care for those at the end of their lives providing care and compassion throughout despite the difficulties and emotion that come with this. 💙🌈
January 6, 2022
Eye opening, haunting, courageous. What a wonderful team we have working in the NHS.
My only comment to those yet to read, if you're choosing this book for the COVID insight only the last third discusses the pandemic.
Still a brilliant read but the majority isn't what I expected.
My only comment to those yet to read, if you're choosing this book for the COVID insight only the last third discusses the pandemic.
Still a brilliant read but the majority isn't what I expected.
October 13, 2021
This book is about nursing and little about covid. Interesting and easy digestible book.
January 28, 2025
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Quick summary: Some aspects of everyone’s life stopped when the coronavirus pandemic happened. We all have stories to tell, and Kelly Critcher takes readers through hers and all the decisions leading up to that moment. As a palliative health care nurse, Kelly’s main job is to help patients and families come to terms with death and move on to the next phase once given a terminal diagnosis. In this aspect of healthcare that little is spoken about, Kelly shares her reflections from working before, during, and after COVID with the many battles she and others faced.
What I loved: The med school applicant side of me (at that time) enjoyed this book because of its healthcare insight. I read about how the frontline and behind-the-scenes workers did their best to help as much as they could against something so novel (coronavirus). On the other hand, I loved reading about Kelly’s interactions with her patients and her virtue of advocating for adequate patient care.
Favorite Quote or Scene: For a twelve-year-old in a horrible situation, Sanjeev was calm. He was also well-prepared, having written down various questions he wanted to ask me. He knew what his dad’s cancer was and what treatments he’d had. He asked me whether there was any more chemotherapy available. ‘The problem now,’ I said… (This scene is quite long to fit into this review, so if you’d like to see the rest of it, page 140 of the book)
Who should read this book: If you’re interested in healthcare or aspiring to go into the healthcare field, then this book is for you, but if you’re not and just looking for an interesting read, then this book is just as good.
Overall verdict: ‘A matter of life and death’ highlights not just the struggles of patients and their families but also the healthcare workers who make sure they receive proper care. It is well-paced and has combined real-life experiences in an intriguing way.
Quick summary: Some aspects of everyone’s life stopped when the coronavirus pandemic happened. We all have stories to tell, and Kelly Critcher takes readers through hers and all the decisions leading up to that moment. As a palliative health care nurse, Kelly’s main job is to help patients and families come to terms with death and move on to the next phase once given a terminal diagnosis. In this aspect of healthcare that little is spoken about, Kelly shares her reflections from working before, during, and after COVID with the many battles she and others faced.
What I loved: The med school applicant side of me (at that time) enjoyed this book because of its healthcare insight. I read about how the frontline and behind-the-scenes workers did their best to help as much as they could against something so novel (coronavirus). On the other hand, I loved reading about Kelly’s interactions with her patients and her virtue of advocating for adequate patient care.
Favorite Quote or Scene: For a twelve-year-old in a horrible situation, Sanjeev was calm. He was also well-prepared, having written down various questions he wanted to ask me. He knew what his dad’s cancer was and what treatments he’d had. He asked me whether there was any more chemotherapy available. ‘The problem now,’ I said… (This scene is quite long to fit into this review, so if you’d like to see the rest of it, page 140 of the book)
Who should read this book: If you’re interested in healthcare or aspiring to go into the healthcare field, then this book is for you, but if you’re not and just looking for an interesting read, then this book is just as good.
Overall verdict: ‘A matter of life and death’ highlights not just the struggles of patients and their families but also the healthcare workers who make sure they receive proper care. It is well-paced and has combined real-life experiences in an intriguing way.
August 20, 2021
Palliative care is something I am familiar with and something that I wish to specialise in one day, this book was honest featuring true accounts of what most palliative care teams are faced with. I particularly loved how Kelly split the book into two sections, before covid and after covid, giving you a true detail of what the job was like before and after covid and how much it had changed everyones roles in this setting. If palliative care is your sort of thing or have a general interest in this area of health care then this book is highly recommended to add to your reading list. Another book I would read a second time round!
February 23, 2023
I love books like this and this was a great read.
A very interesting account of how Kelly's career came to be, and extracts from her time general nursing before moving into palliative care. It was really interesting to read how the job progressed, the people she dealt with and towards the end of the book the whole section of the Covid Pandemic and how she worked during that time.
I liked how she also included other nurses and doctors words in the book, and their thoughts and feelings towards the pandemic. Very good read.
A very interesting account of how Kelly's career came to be, and extracts from her time general nursing before moving into palliative care. It was really interesting to read how the job progressed, the people she dealt with and towards the end of the book the whole section of the Covid Pandemic and how she worked during that time.
I liked how she also included other nurses and doctors words in the book, and their thoughts and feelings towards the pandemic. Very good read.
June 20, 2021
A very well written book documenting the life of a palliative care nurse before and during the Covid pandemic. The author gently poses questions about treating dying patients and makes very valid comments. The account of the Covid crisis in the hospital is stark; truthful and scary. A book that everyone should read, including Covid sceptics and anti vaxxers.
March 28, 2022
Brilliant read
I really enjoyed reading this book although heartbreaking to read at times. I would recommend this book to everyone as it covers death and dying as it should be discussed. I especially recommend it to anyone considering a career in nursing as this book gives such an honest insight into the role.
I really enjoyed reading this book although heartbreaking to read at times. I would recommend this book to everyone as it covers death and dying as it should be discussed. I especially recommend it to anyone considering a career in nursing as this book gives such an honest insight into the role.
April 5, 2023
This book gives real insight into work within so many palliative care environments and the challenges Covid brought. I loved how the main focus wasn't Covid, but palliative care, which is such an underrepresented and undervalued area of nursing. Would definitely recommend everyone to read. We're all going to die at some point.
May 18, 2023
I hadn’t really thought about this book covering covid or palliative care… not sure what I thought I was getting!
But it was really interesting. Lovely to hear that despite what we were told, a lot of families were allowed the last hours with their loved ones despite covid restrictions.
Inspiring woman, certainly not a job I could do!
But it was really interesting. Lovely to hear that despite what we were told, a lot of families were allowed the last hours with their loved ones despite covid restrictions.
Inspiring woman, certainly not a job I could do!
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May 5, 2021An important account of nursing during the pandemic. As a historical account, this book shares a lot on the changes in the NHS due to COVID. But more imortantly it shares the impact on patients, hospital staff and both families and the power of good nursing whether acute or palitive.
August 7, 2021
A palliative nurse walks through her experiences, including covid19. With no medical background, I learnt so much about the daily experiences of nursing and the resilience of those that wear the burden of delivering bad news.
February 9, 2022
A heart-breaking read of patients and staff at a hospital in London depicting the tragedies, strength, courage, and determination of both before and during the first wave of covid 19, Many thanks Layra Booth for the swap once again.
February 10, 2022
so insightful
I started reading this while supporting my Dad in his own journey through palliative care in the hope to better understand the system and the current issues. This book is an amazing insight from someone who has literally been there and done it. Thank you
I started reading this while supporting my Dad in his own journey through palliative care in the hope to better understand the system and the current issues. This book is an amazing insight from someone who has literally been there and done it. Thank you
February 12, 2022
Although sensitive and still a ongoing issue, I really enjoyed this book, the work these people do is so valuable, it wasn't just a job for this lady, it showed the care given to the ill and dying, she and the system allowed these people to have some dignity all while dealing with a pandemic.
June 13, 2021
Absolutely brilliant book, written from the heart. Found it very hard to put down. Covers from the start or her career up until currently with covid. Highly recommend.
July 31, 2021
Such a good book and shows the harsh realities that this virus has placed on medical staff.
February 18, 2022
From another Nurses POV - excellent read! Real life and really interesting!
March 12, 2022
This book made me laugh and cry. Her compassion as a nurse is amazing along with many nurse I know and work with.
March 22, 2022
Amazing, honest book. A great insight into the role of a palliative care nurse.
May 15, 2022
Couldn't finish it
August 5, 2022
Amazing and insightful read into a nurses experience of the covid 19 pandemic. I couldn’t put it down. Full of emotion, shock, some laughter some tears! People need to read it!
August 7, 2022
A good honest book about life in palliative care and COVID
November 2, 2022
Emotional, funny and eye opening. A must read.
December 26, 2022
Was great to hear how the health service was affected through the eyes of someone who saw it first hand.
January 5, 2023
Very emotional read. Healthcare professional or not such an eye opening true story! Sad this book is over
August 3, 2023
I was expecting more from this. I wanted it to touch my heart and make me cry, but it was told on a very surface level. Having said that, kudos to all the nurses, doctors etc. We got this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews