Book Review: ‘Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas

Book review: 

‘‘Twas the nightshift before christmas”

Adam Kay 

I hope this book review has found you well in this time of deep uncertainty! Apologies, if you're as sick of this sentence as I am. I thought I'd upload a lightsome book review of one of my favourite wee books I've read this side of Christmas. I wrote this review shortly after but I've added in a few topical tidbits and, although its Christmassy nature, I'd give it a recommendation- especially in the climate- if not for anything else, but as a reminder that we have something to look forward to! 

"'Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas" is just a 143 page stocking filler- one I read at Christmas time no less- but one I think everyone should have gotten for Christmas this year. Kay is now a comedian and scriptwriter, but was nearly an Obs and Gynae consultant before an experience was the straw that broke the camels back. This book touches on his Christmas shifts throughout his whole medical career- his first placement as a FY1 (HO) doctor, through to the Christmas of the year he left the profession. In ‘This is Going to Hurt’ the progression through the years brings increasing seniority and responsibilities, coming to a head at senior registrar, and the change is obvious in the entries. In "'Twas the Nightshift before Christmas”, the change between years isn’t as obvious, as it truly is just a small snippet of each year- just the weeks before and after Christmas. The latter is- save for a few entries- more comedic, while the former has the perfect balance of an increasingly stressful tone with comedy dashed in. Both are excellent portrayals of life as a junior doctor, and the sights that are seen by NHS staff.

I came across Kay’s books during my recent seven week hospital stay- both were for sale in the WHSmith on the concourse in the “top sellers” section, and plenty of other patients came in reading them. It seemed a bit like watching titanic on a boat to read a book about junior doctors while I was being kept alive by them, however. Nurses and other patients buzzed about the books, and I knew I would have to check them out sooner or later.

The NHS is a glorious institution, and “junior doctors” get a lot of slack. (even from me- although to be fair, after nearly ten attempts at cannulation from one poor doctor you’d be annoyed too) this book reminds us that they’re human, overworked, overstressed and underpaid. 

I would recommend reading This is Going to Hurt first, before reading ‘Twas the Nightshift before Christmas- as the latter feels like quite an extension of the former. I would also recommend giving either book as a gift to your Tory relatives, the type who'll happily clap for their carers but shrug their shoulders when told it was the tories who blocked the NHS payrise. It's simple enough to read, medical procedures are explained if necessary in footnotes, and it emphasises that while some injuries and illnesses are self inflicted, most are unfortunate parts of life that, without such an institution, would have killed us 100 years ago. 

Brilliant, moving and inspiring. 

10/10, respect the nhs x