Crushed: My NHS Summer - Softcover

McCourt comes across as an incredibly likeable narrator. His voice is clear and confident throughout and he is unafraid to give freely of himself; describing his accident, morphine-induced nightmares and the condition of his body with candour. McCourt is not afraid to include humour in the story even at its darkest points; on overhearing a police officer tell a colleague via radio that his accident is potentially fatal he shouts to the policeman that he heard him and thanks a bunch . The book is well paced, starting off slowly as the days crawl by and gradually picking up speed as McCourt becomes used to hospital life. This book is perfect for anybody who wants to get a better idea of the patient experience within the healthcare system, or simply for any healthcare worker who wishes to hear that their job is appreciated. Despite being an honest account of life after a very serious injury, the book reads like a love letter to the NHS. http://www.nursingtimes.net/opinion/book-club/crushed-my-nhs-summer/5048932.blog?blocktitle=Latest-posts&contentID=7028 --Thomas Dines, Nursing Times

A very personal account of one man's fight for survival and triumph over very adverse odds. It is also a heartfelt tribute to all those people, principally in the National Health Service (UK), who give so much to heal and support. One mid-summer evening in an English hayfield Jan McCourt was crushed beneath his 7-ton tractor. In an instant his life was changed forever. His lower back, hip and pelvis were virtually demolished. Lucky to be airlifted to hospital, luckier still even to be alive, he was later informed by the surgeon that the procedure would be akin to taking a polo mint, stamping on it and then piecing the broken bits back in their original position. The injury also played complete havoc with his digestive system. Enduring long weeks of unimaginable and at times quite terrifying pain, the toll on Jan's body also began to affect his mind.