Adam Kay, former junior doctor turned award-winning writer and comedian, has described the current crisis facing the National Health Service (NHS) as the most severe he has witnessed since the publication of his debut book, *This Is Going To Hurt*, nearly a decade ago.
Kay, who trained in obstetrics and gynaecology before leaving medicine in 2010, said the challenges facing junior doctors today exceed those he chronicled in his bestseller. “There’s an exodus of staff and you can’t blame them. It’s such a supremely difficult place to work in. People aren’t treated well enough,” he said, reflecting on how the NHS has steadily deteriorated since his time on the front lines. Kay’s writing, which has sold over five million copies, has been credited with shining a light on the pressures faced by hospital doctors.
His first book was adapted into a BBC television series starring Ben Whishaw. Kay has since authored 13 books spanning genres such as crime fiction, children’s literature, and medical history-themed activity guides. Among these is *Kay’s Gruesome Games*, aimed at engaging young readers with the history of medicine through puzzles and recipes.
Kay’s departure from medicine was prompted by a traumatic incident in which a patient with an undiagnosed placenta praevia died during a caesarean section, and her life was irrevocably changed. Kay, who was the most senior doctor on the ward at the time, suffered from PTSD and depression, underscoring the mental health toll faced by many healthcare professionals. He remains an advocate for improved mental health support for NHS staff and is a patron of Doctors In Distress, a charity focused on reducing suicide among medical professionals.
Although Kay has built a successful career in comedy and writing since leaving the NHS, he admits to missing the sense of purpose that came with being a doctor. “There’s the feeling at the end of a shift, however hard the shift was, that you’ve done something good, helpful, valuable for society,” he said. He contrasted this with the arts, noting that, while valuable, they cannot match the impact of saving lives on a labour ward.
Kay is preparing for a two-week tour in Australia this November, his longest time away from his family, whom he will reunite with in Thailand over Christmas. He emphasized the importance of family life and work-life balance, noting that he now prioritizes time off to spend with his children.
Looking ahead, Kay expressed cautious optimism about the new health administration led by Health Secretary Yvette Cooper and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. He highlighted staff retention as the key issue facing the NHS, suggesting that Cooper’s team should establish dedicated efforts to address this challenge.
Next year marks the 10th anniversary of *This Is Going To Hurt*, and Kay plans to tour with a live show revisiting the material that first brought him acclaim, which will include a question-and-answer segment. “It’s probably the quickest way most people have got to seeing a GP these days,” he joked.