REIMAGINING HOW WE LIVE LIFE WELL TOGETHER
We live in a time of great uncertainty. More people are being pushed into poverty. The gap between the richest and poorest is growing wider. We are, perhaps, more divided than we have ever been.
Our public services are overwhelmed. Citizens are fed up. Our society is sick. What can we do?
We need a realignment of the values at the heart of our own lives and societal structures, especially our politics and economics. Until we learn to reorientate ourselves towards the way of love, we will continue to perpetuate the staggering inequalities at work in our communities.
We need a kinder society, that works for everyone and gets to the pragmatics of how we actually do this. We need to reimagine how we live life together well.
Sick Society - Reimagining How We Live Well Together
The economist, Prof Mariana Mazzucato, and sociologist Prof Bev Skeggs, looking at society from different angles come to the same conclusion:
“Society is a manifestation of our values and who or what we value.”
In this book, you will encounter several people I have met in my work as a doctor over the last two decades. Their stories and a myriad of associated research expose the values on which we have built our society.
They demonstrate the fact that in its current form, society simply isn’t working for many people. People are sick, because our society is sick.
Our society is sick because it is love sick.
So, this book asks us to reconsider our values and to reimagine together how we build a society that is altogether more healthy.
It goes on to examine how a society can change and what we need to put in place to enable that to happen.
It appeals to the ancient philosophy of love as a praxis. It calls us to allow ourselves to feel outraged at injustice, to challenge the inevitability of our own thinking.
Things do not have to be this way. All is not lost. We must shake off our apathy, recover hope and build moral, alternative economies.
Together we can make our communities, regions and nations altogether more kind and compassionate, as we build a participative and inclusive politics.
PRAISE FOR SICK SOCIETY
‘Full of anecdotes and insights, it challenges us all to put aside our cynicism, world weariness and feelings of powerlessness and do something to make the world a better place.’
Lord Nigel Crisp
Independent Crossbench Member House of Lords
‘Read this book. It will remind you that all is not lost in our sick society and that there is a surprising solution’
Tim Farron MP
MP for Westmorland & Lonsdale
Former leader of Lib Dems
‘Sick Society comes from the heart of an outstanding clinician whose practical compassion for his patients is simply overwhelming.’
Prof Dame Clare Gerada
President of the Royal College of General Practitioners
‘Sick Society challenges us all to care, to act and to create space for understanding. Here’s to less meetings and more practical action to tackle health inequalities.’
Joan Saddler, OBE
Director of Partnerships & Inequality, NHS Confederation
This book is a blueprint of how to love and be loved. Amazing,
passionate and an inspirational read.’
Dave Higham
CEO The Well Communities, Author of Rat Hell to Rat Park.
‘This book brings to life the story of individuals who experience inequality and injustice. Every human being is worthy of love, and together with love we can make things better. The revolution starts here.’
Fatima Khan-Shah
Associate Director, Long-Term Conditions & Personalisation, West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership
ANDY KNOX
Andy Knox is a GP and Associate Medical Director of the Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB – focused on Population Health and Health Inequity. He’s also a motivational speaker and blogger.
He is usually heard before he is seen due to his ridiculously loud laugh. He relaxes by playing the
piano, reading books, cooking good food and being
in and around water. He was recently awarded an
MBE in the King’s first Birthday Honours List for services to Primary Care and tackling Health Inequalities.
SICK SOCIETY
Book LAUNCHes
there was such great feedback and engament from the previous book launches in london, manchester and lancaster! we had such wonderful times together. more dates coming soon - email to join the invite list
GET IN TOUCH
To keep up to date with book launch dates and speaking engagements please check back here and see links below.
Andy is occasionally asked to speak at conferences, companies & organisations. If you’re interested in having Andy speak at your event please get in touch using the email
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