Critical: Why the NHS is being betrayed and how we can fight for it

"Critical: Why the NHS is being betrayed and how we can fight for it" is a powerful and urgent expos by Dr. Julia Grace Patterson, founder of EveryDoctor and a leading voice in the fight to save the National Health Service. Published in 2023 by Mudlark, this meticulously researched and passionately argued book delves into the multifaceted crisis currently gripping the NHS, revealing the insidious forces undermining its founding principles and endangering its very existence. More than just a lament, "Critical" offers a stark, eye-opening analysis of how successive political decisions, driven by ideological agendas and short-sighted economic policies, have systematically eroded the NHS's capacity to provide universal, accessible healthcare. Dr. Patterson meticulously charts the course of underfunding, chronic understaffing, and the creeping privatization that have left the NHS teetering on the brink of collapse. This isn't a dry, academic treatise; it's a deeply personal and human story. Drawing on her extensive experience as a doctor within the NHS, as well as the collective experiences of countless other healthcare professionals and patients, Dr. Patterson paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced on the front lines. She exposes the devastating impact of austerity measures, the strain on overworked and demoralized staff, and the heartbreaking consequences for patients struggling to access timely and adequate care. The book doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths. It confronts the political rhetoric that obscures the reality on the ground and challenges the narratives that seek to justify the dismantling of a vital public service. Dr. Patterson dismantles the arguments used to promote privatization, exposing the potential for profit-driven motives to compromise patient care and exacerbate existing inequalities. However, "Critical" is not a purely pessimistic outlook. While it paints a sobering picture of the current state of affairs, it also offers a beacon of hope. Dr. Patterson puts forward a series of transformational ideas for how the NHS can be revitalized and protected for future generations. Drawing on best practices from other healthcare systems around the world, she proposes concrete solutions to address the systemic problems plaguing the NHS, including innovative funding models, improved workforce planning, and a renewed commitment to its founding principles. "Critical" is a call to action. It urges readers to become informed, engaged citizens and to join the fight to defend the NHS. Dr. Patterson empowers readers to challenge the status quo, hold politicians accountable, and advocate for a healthcare system that prioritizes the needs of patients over the demands of the market. It is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of healthcare in Great Britain and believes in the fundamental right of access to quality medical care for all. The book serves as a wake-up call, urging immediate action to prevent the collapse of an institution that has been a cornerstone of British society for 75 years. With 224 pages, this hardcover edition, weighing 270g, is a comprehensive analysis.