Very highly recommended. This book is extremely emotive. I cried a lot but I also got angry and upset on behalf of the patients who'd been sidelined and also on behalf of Dr Marshall-Andrews herself who appears to be fighting an uphill struggle at times against those who want no change. However I also laughed a lot at the joy tiny changes brought about.

What Seems To Be The Problem? is a heartfelt story of hope, and an urgent call for change in our NHS at a time when it is most in need. Coming into the classroom, my knowledge of Design Thinking was insignificant. Case in point, when asked what I wanted to achieve from the weekend, I responded with the statement, “The definition of Design Thinking.”I was assured that the class was designed for everyone, “regardless of your title, role, profile, initiative or current way of working”.I was skeptical, and still, I remained open minded to the possibilities of the course and what it would mean to me. I fist punched the air when she fought for a patient to stay on X drug because it had a huge positive impact on her life yet the higher ups wanted her switched to a drug that was not effective because of the cost. They argued about no evidence yet here is this human being gone from a miserable existence to being happier, healthier and managing to contribute to society. The doc also examines this, the cost of her health issues if she went on the ineffective drug, hospital admission costs, appointments, benefits etc huge costs which would be more than the medication. However the people who overview medication prescribing, costs to the surgery/budget wanted this lady on the cheaper, not effective or working for her because studies show, 1 person experience doesn't not provide conclusive evidence. I am so so glad she put the foot down but it shouldn't have to be like this. When it comes to patient care cost should not be a factor, I shudder at the healthcare systems in other countries but some of this stuff in this book also highlights it isn't just other countries. Created with the help of doctors, artists and complementary health practitioners, Dr Laura’s pioneering holistic approach was revelatory. From those whose lives were changed by ‘ineffective’ drugs, to those for whom alternative therapies, kindness and trust proved transformative, her patients began to flourish.And she is, and her way of working is and her non belief in every missive from the NHS on patient care is refreshing as is the Health Centre she has help build in Brighton

For Marshall-Andrews the problem is — to steal her opening quotation from Pope Benedict XVI — ‘Society today is being fragmented by a way of thinking that is inherently short-sighted because it disregards the full horizon of truth’.

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As I said I have read lots of NHS stories from different professionals and enjoy reading the patients and doctors experiences. This one is different as we get to see the normal doctor approach but Marshall-Andrews takes a more holistic approach and once she gets her own gp surgery we see what it is like to work with other professionals in a holistic manner and how it can affect and impact the patients.