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A review by readingthroughinfinity
This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
I'd heard from friends working in different sectors of the NHS how understaffed and overworked NHS staff are but this book is a sobering reminder of how bad things have truly become. The amount of times Adam Kay chronicles working back-to-back 12-hour shifts is staggering.
I picked up the audiobook for this after starting the TV adaptation and it's equal parts uplifting and disheartening (to hear about the exhaustion and lack of support available for doctors and nurses). Adam Kay's caustic brand of humour brings so many moments of light-hearted relief among the sad and emotional diary entries that make up this book. I have a huge amount of respect and appreciation for everything NHS workers do and I wish our government afforded them the same respect (instead of gradually eroding the NHS and pushing it towards privatisation). Kay has a good suggestion for what we can do to change things: write to your MPs and demand changes at government level.
This is a great read, and although there are some extremely harrowing moments, it's definitely one I'd recommend for an eye-opening first-hand account of life as a medic.
Content warnings for graphic descriptions of blood and bodily trauma, pregnancy, miscarriages and stillbirth, death of children/babies, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt, discussions of racism, fatphobia, excrement.
I picked up the audiobook for this after starting the TV adaptation and it's equal parts uplifting and disheartening (to hear about the exhaustion and lack of support available for doctors and nurses). Adam Kay's caustic brand of humour brings so many moments of light-hearted relief among the sad and emotional diary entries that make up this book. I have a huge amount of respect and appreciation for everything NHS workers do and I wish our government afforded them the same respect (instead of gradually eroding the NHS and pushing it towards privatisation). Kay has a good suggestion for what we can do to change things: write to your MPs and demand changes at government level.
This is a great read, and although there are some extremely harrowing moments, it's definitely one I'd recommend for an eye-opening first-hand account of life as a medic.
Content warnings for graphic descriptions of blood and bodily trauma, pregnancy, miscarriages and stillbirth, death of children/babies, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt, discussions of racism, fatphobia, excrement.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, Death, Medical content, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Fatphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, and Excrement
Minor: Body shaming