The Heart of the Matter

Amazing! I haven’t read a book since leaving school 4 years ago, struggling to find something that interests me, this is the first book I have finished. A fantastic read would highly recommend to anyone!! Love it.

An interesting read which provides an insightful and honest day in the life of a GP. The book clearly demonstrates the increasing and relentless pressure within primary care balanced with the care and compassion for those working within it. Well explained for readers not from a medical background.

This book astonished me when I first read it. I already knew doctors were overworked but I had no idea the situation was so bad. I felt exhausted just reading about the number of tasks that a GP needed to perform every day. I am a strong supporter of the NHS - it's keeping me alive right now - but something must be done to prevent the burnout of our medical staff. More money is needed from the government and more involvement of the grass roots is necessary in the use of that money. This book should be required reading for all politicians.

General practice is the place where doctors and patients first meet, where diagnoses are made, treatments arranged - and long term relationships develop between doctors, and patients and their families. Understanding the complexity of people and their problems that are seen on a daily basis can be hard. But that is where this book excels. It lifts the lid on the oft misunderstood world of general practice - and shows - warts and all - what lies beneath. The beauty and wonder of the patients, their attitudes and approaches, their complaints and compliments, their trials and tribulations and how the importance of having (or being) a good doctor and their team can make all the difference. The book, weaving through the consultations from a single day, is written for patients and practitioners alike and gives a well rounded explanation of the realities of providing general practice in the 2020s. From the underlying poverty and inequality to issues with funding, workload and staffing to glimpsing the wide variety of health issues people attend with covering from (almost) cradle to (almost) grave. Packed with useful information and health links for patients as well as self reflective 'afterthoughts' for doctors asking 'could i do anything better next time?' and extra titbits of useful knowledge to navigate similar cases. In short, an honest and inspiring read and highly recommended for all healthcare staff, patients, members of the public, doctors in training, and all others including politicians...