Can You Hear Me?: An NHS Paramedic's Encounters with Life and Death

At a time when we all have a new respect and appreciation for the NHS this book gives a honest, but also uplifting insight into the world of paramedics. It vividly describes both adrenaline-fuelled life-saving highs and depressing lows when the writer and his ambulance crewmates can’t make any difference to a patient's fate. Jake Jones doesn’t dress up paramedics as heroes, in fact he is at pains to convey the mundanity of some days on the job, the frustrations with time wasters, or lack of satisfaction in transferring a patient into a flawed system. But you clearly feel his commitment to treating patients and their families with compassion, not just the next job. I also liked that it is not just a collection of anecdotes about interesting cases, but a very personal story of someone who admits he felt out of his depth before becoming an experienced professional. The chapter about his own father is particularly powerful. Jones doesn’t sugar coat the tough parts of the job – some of the stories about his patients really are heart-breaking - but he celebrates the good and is clearly proud of what he does. He certainly comes across as the sort of caring, switched on person I’d want in my corner if I called 999. The book is a window into a world most of us don't see and is well worth a read.

Good book, well worth a read A good honest seller, arrived well within time frame in condition stated. 5 ⭐

I got bored reading this book and not passed the 2nd page. I think I will not bother with it.

Well written

Bought this book to learn a bit more about the profession and to see what these guys go through, and think on a daily basis at work. Jake's writing is fabulous and captivating, describing scenes in ways I have never heard before. It was a brilliant book, and I learnt so much from it. He is a brilliant writer and I am so glad he shared his story!