This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) was established in 1948. Providing medical services to all UK residents, it operates on the principle of ensuring healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances. NHS consultations, hospital care, surgeries, and emergency services are all free at the point of access.

The National Health Service is often referred to as a “national treasure” in the UK due to its commitment to healthcare equality. However, as the system is funded primarily through taxation and National Insurance contributions, it operates within the constraints of a fixed budget. This has led to significant challenges in meeting patient demand, which is exacerbated by an aging population and the rising costs of treatments. The system also faces a shortage of healthcare professionals, leading to increased workloads and stress for existing staff.

Adam Kay decided to publish his junior doctor diaries as a memoir because of a dispute that began in 2015 between the UK government and junior doctors. The author describes this event as “when the government started waging war on doctors” (261). Junior doctors protested when the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, attempted to impose new contracts on them without their approval.