Critical

Why the NHS Is Being Betrayed and How We Can Fight for It

By: Dr Julia Patterson

Narrated by: Dr Julia Patterson

The true, eye-opening account of how the NHS has been failed and what we can do to save it.

‘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.’

The NHS is at crisis point. In the 75 years since it was founded on the dream of making healthcare accessible to everyone, its principles have been chipped away at and disregarded by successive political leaders. The result: an underfunded, understaffed, exhausted workforce, a decimation of patient services and the infiltration of privatisation within our public healthcare system. We are now in danger of losing what we have come to depend upon: the NHS is collapsing and a two-tier healthcare system is emerging in its place. We can stop this, but only if we do it together.

In her first book, Dr Julia Grace Patterson, founder of EveryDoctor and fierce advocate for the future of the NHS, lays bare the truth about the current state of our healthcare system and sets forth transformational ideas on how we could save it. A book built on a love of the NHS at its heart, Critical is a must-listen for anyone who wants it to survive for another 75 years.

©2023 Dr. Julia Grace Patterson (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

‘Brilliant. Everyone who cares about the NHS should read this brilliant book’ – Peter Stefanovic

‘If you’re a campaigner for the NHS, this new book, Critical, is a must-read. And if you’re not a campaigner for the NHS, this new book, Critical, is a must-read. Be informed; be angry; fight.’ – Dominic Minghella

‘A fantastic read for anyone interested in what’s happening to our NHS’ – Jemma Forte

‘Recommended reading. Angry but not shouty, terrifically researched and written’ – Russ Jones

‘An incredibly important book about the demise of our NHS and what we must do to reverse the damage that’s being done to it. A sobering and important read. I can highly recommend it’ – Kit Yates

‘Exceptional … a must read’ – Grace Blakeley

‘Critical is a superb, concise, yet informative and passionate piece of work. It neatly outlines just why politicians and successive governments have vandalised and decimated our NHS. However, more importantly, it shows the reader that there is another way – and that there is also something still left to fight for.’ Canary

‘Julia Grace Patterson has written a book reminding us just why we need a well-funded, state-run NHS of the sort neither major political party in the UK now supports. She's right.’ Richard Murphy