Tom Basket is a “Son of Ulster” who left these shores for Canada as a trainee back in the 70s, but our loss has been their gain. He has become an internationally renowned Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and author, and has yet again put his name to this pocket sized handbook, fifth edition, of Essential Management of Obstetric Emergencies. It was first written by Tom some thirty years ago, has now been upgraded again, is simply a must for all trainees, practising Obstetricians and midwives, and indeed is especially suitable for those who think it would be surplus to their requirements.
There's nothing as normal as normal pregnancy, and nothing as abnormal as abnormal pregnancy, and nothing can go so quickly from one to the other. Those golden minutes that exist during this window must be maximised, and this book gives all the best, contemporary, common-sensical, well researched and evidence based advice on how to minimise the effects of nature at her worst.
This concise, practical, beautifully written handbook addresses all the common, and many of the rarer complications which we can encounter and is clearly presented for immediate use, but also appropriately referenced for those with the time, inclination and need for in depth analysis.
Apps are part of the future no doubt, but the written word is still king, and in the emergency scenario is likely to remain as such. I truly recommend this HANDbook for everyone who could find themselves as the healthcare provider at the bedside of a mother in need anywhere in the resourced or under resourced world.
Prof Jim Dornan, Chair Health & Life Sciences UU, Chair Fetal Medicine QUB (retd.)