This book definitely wasn’t what I was expecting it to be. I thought it would be more personal to the author himself rather than focusing on the stories of patients but now that I’ve read it, I love that it was about the patients that he saw and all their different problems and complications. I think we don’t hear a lot about his personal life other than that his relationship with his girlfriend at the time was undoubtedly suffering due to the long hours and the unexpected 16-hour shifts.
It makes me think about everything that NHS staff have to sacrifice to save the lives of others. Relationships, memories, all that fun stuff that you do in your 20s was put on hold by the author and junior doctor, Adam, because his job needed him more.
It’s not all doom and gloom though I suppose. There are stories in this book that are ultimately heartbreaking and truly shocking but there are also pretty funny stories. It amazes me that there are some pretty ridiculous people out there. One particular story that stands out to me is the removal of a Kinder Egg from somewhere it DEFINITELY should not have been - not the kind of Kinder surprise anyone wants and I’m sure Adam Kay was not impressed after a long 14 hour shift.
There are also stories within this book that have obviously stemmed from people searching their symptoms, finding little but compelling evidence that it could be the worst-case scenario and admitting themselves into hospital to demand urgent medical care. Cmon, we’ve all been there haven’t we? There’s been countless times where I’ve googled my own symptoms and been like yeah, that’s it...the end is near and then just realised that I haven’t drank a single drop of water for three days. Stupid I know but I continue to do it don’t I!
However, back to more serious matters...right now more than ever we are thankful for the NHS and the vital work that the frontline staff are doing every day to cure those with this uncertain illness and to help prevent the spread. These people are heroes. They are giving up their time and putting themselves at risk to ensure that the nation is looked after. I think reading this book really opens your eyes to the amount of hard work these doctors, nurses and all hospital staff do and how the NHS ultimately get by because the staff are willing to sacrifice their lives for the health of others. Let us never forget what everyone in the NHS is doing for the UK right now, because without it, things could be a hell of a lot worse.
Stay at home. Save Lives. Protect the NHS.