The doctor is back again and on the wards! Now in his third year as junior doctor, Max looks and sounds the part. But this time around, things are not at all as he expected …

The junior doctor … back on the wards. After a year on the streets treating outreach patients, Max Pemberton is back in the relative comfort of hospital. This time running between elderly care and the dementia clinic to A&E and outpatients. No longer inexperienced (Max and his doctor friends can now tell when someone is actually dead), they are on the front line of patient care for better or worse.

In the midst of an NHS still under threat (some things never change) there are committed and caring doctors, big issues, hope, frustration, huge societal changes affecting the entire health system as well as the general drama of everyday life in a big hospital, from biscuit wars to resus. It’s not like television, this is real – there are no easy answers – but The Doctor Will See You Now will give you hope that there are enough good doctors asking the questions.

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How did it come to this? Not in the Best of Health describes a medical career stretching from that of a fledgling student, to that of a worn out and disillusioned senior consultant paediatrician. In Charles Godden’s sharply observed memoir, stories of sick children and those who treated them are described with candour, humour and insight gained over three decades working in hospitals stretching from Papua New Guinea to the UK.

If you want to know why the NHS is failing, and what might be done to save this most treasured institution, read this book.

EARLY REVIEWS

‘Not in the Best of Health will entertain and shock. This is an outstanding medical narrative from Godden who records a life in paediatrics and pulls no punches documenting his experiences of clinical medicine and the frustrations of NHS administration. His integrity and experience shine throughout with equal amounts of humour and poignancy.
His clinical scenarios are elegantly described such that lay readers will completely understand. This book should be read by anyone with even a passing interest in medical literature or with aspirations to work with children in the medical sphere.’ – Professor Neil Wilson MB BS DCH FRCPCH FSCAI

‘Spanning three decades of reorganisation, over-management, declining consultant autonomy and sleepless nights this inimitable memoir shines a sharp light on our parlous NHS. Patient focussed and moving, funny but serious,
it is a must read.’ – Professor of primary care (general practice) Anthony Harnden

‘WARNING! This is an honest reflection written with great humour and enviable humility of a career in medicine. Toe curling in places, totally relatable, and an essential read for those in, around, or interested in healthcare.’ – Dr Craig Marshall, Intensive Care Medicine Registrar

‘Whilst maintaining his effortless wit, Charles presents an honest account into the occasional highs and tragic lows of an NHS paediatrician. I really enjoyed the read and it certainly highlights the struggles I have ahead of me!’ – Robbie Hill, a first year medical student

‘I rarely read medical books for recreation – too much of a busman’s holiday. However, perhaps because we both qualified in 1983 and are both paediatricians, I found many of Charles Godden’s recollections from the front line resonated with me. His views are sometimes provocative and some readers may differ with his forthright opinions but many of the personal tragedies and uplifting successes ring very true.’ – Professor Sir Terence Stephenson, DM, FRCPCH, FRCP, Past chair of GMC and past president Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

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