Product Description

Medicine Balls has been short-listed for the Medical Journalists Association Book Awards 2008. The judges said 'A very funny, thought provoking book. Bizarre duologues (GP consultations) are interspersed with a vitriolic rant about the state of the nation s health, and what can (and cannot) be done about it by society, the NHS, the eponymous TV doctor and others like him.' The world is full of TV doctors but only Dr Phil has been on Have I Got News For You seven times and Countdown twenty four times - a true mark of greatness (whatever Lord Winston says). He is also Private Eye's medical correspondent and possibly the only comic to have appeared at a public inquiry. Dr Phil (46, Capricorn) has worked in the NHS for twenty years but only used it twice. He takes no drugs (apart from Australian Shiraz) and has never knowingly been Rolfed. So how does he remain so healthy? And what sort of Doctor is he? Here, at last, are transcripts of his most life-enhancing consultations and comedy, including 89 Minutes to Save the NHS.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #105240 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
One of the most entertainingly subversive people on the planet. --The Guardian

Great to have a pint with but you wouldn't want him as your doctor! --The Times

Synopsis
The world is full of TV doctors, but only Dr Phil has appeared on "Have I Got News For You" seven times, "Countdown" nineteen times, a true mark of greatness (whatever Lord Winston says). He is also "Private Eye's" medical correspondent and possibly the only comic to have appeared at a "Public Inquiry".Dr Phil (45, Capricorn) has worked in the NHS for twenty years but only used it twice. He takes no drugs (apart from Australian Shiraz) and has never knowingly been Rolfed. So how does he remain so healthy? And what sort of Doctor is he? Here, at last, are transcripts of his most life-enhancing consultations and comedy, including "89 Minutes to Save the NHS".

About the Author
Dr Phil Hammomd is a doctor, comedian and commentator on UK health. He writes the Medicine Balls column for Private Eye and has starred in an acclaimed one-man show at the Edinburgh Fringe. Dr Phil regularly appears on Raiod 4 in 28 Minutes to Save the NHS and The News Quiz and on television as captain in Channel Five's Tibs and Fibs and on BBC in Trust Me, I'm A Doctor, as well as being a regular guest on Have I Got News For You.

Customer Reviews

Medicine as it really is
If you love black humour you will love this. The three things I got from this book are: avoid doctors for a healthy life; only take the pills which will actually make a positive difference to your condition; most things get better on their own. It's laugh out loud funny but at the same time it will make you cry about all the things wrong with the NHS which could be put right very simply and for little cost. This is a brilliant book to give anyone who has had any dealings with the medical profession.

Satire, plus a little extra
Amusing, angry, provocative and with a clear message about where the NHS is headed.

I could not agree less with the barely literate review suggesting this book would induce (ahem) 'bordem'.

Nowhere to hide
I have to disagree with Ms McKee, who curiously seems to have spiked Dr Hammond's other book, despite it being out of print for two years. One reason I suspect Hammond attracts the odd bit of vitriol is that he is brave (or foolhardy) enough to write under his own name. Dr Max Pemberton (Trust Me, I'm a Junior Doctor), Dr Michael Foxton (Bedside Stories: Confessions of a Junior Doctor) and Dr Nick Edwards (In Stitches: Highs and Lows of an A&E Doctor)are all non existent, according to the GMC register. Hammond is registered (325087) and undoubtedly offends those with a cosy view of doctors. He's a bit of a self-publicist who disguises his narcissism as self deprecation but he is undoubtedly funny, which for me is all that matters. A comedian trapped in a doctor's body.