Life, Death and Biscuits

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 Life, Death and Biscuits by Anthea Allen- Nursing/medical memoir

Oh wow! ( I write this and am not sure that should have the exclamation mark- it should and it shouldn't-reading on may explain this). This is a book about the very front line during the pandemic in a small corner of London, England. Many know about people requiring ventilators during this period- what many don’t know is that it takes the experience of a critical care nurse to operate them- few nurses were trained in this and even less doctors. Anthea is a one of these highly skilled nurses and tells of her days through emails to friends which by putting words on paper kept her sane. She asked for some biscuits as many of the staff being kitted up in PPE couldn't leave the ward (if they did it was a full clothes and ppe change for which they didn't have time or energy) and the hospital shops refused to serve them, knowing they were dealing with such critically ill covid patients. The response she got was overwhelming. 

Thank you doesn't seem enough to these dedicated, caring staff. To the nurses and doctors through to those many don't even know about- the lab technicians who do all the tests on which medicine depends, the pharmaceutical staff working day and night to find vaccines and test medicines on which many lives depend. The porters, the cleaners, the administration staff the list goes on. Everyone of them made and every day makes the NHS (and private care) what it is in this country- a truly brilliant organisation. For anyone who complains- try being ill abroad or even in Ireland where I understand that a GP trip may cost you 50E or more each and every time. 

This is brilliantly written. The clarity of what was happening through to the smiles when a doughnut appeared makes this a very real read.  A truly inspiring memorable read and several messages for us all to look after ourselves- stay fit and healthy and don’t take unnecessary risks. As I understand Steve Jobs once said “ let food be your medicine otherwise medicine will be your food”. We can all help the NHS by doing this. One life- live it well. 

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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