Bloodlines

The author of this text goes behind the scenes at Britain's largest hospital trust and describes a year in the life of a hospital through the stories of those who work there and those who pass through its wards. St Thomas' Hospital in London is one of the most well known centres of medical excellence in the world. For two years it was the subject of a bitter political controversy over the decision to amalgamate it with Guy's Hospital. This book reveals the tensions St Thomas' suffers in a year when its future was dependent on the outcome of the general election. The account blends reportage, analysis and reconstructions to examine the day-to-day crises and successes in the hospital. It reveals the choices made by doctors, nurses, administrators, patients and relatives.