Try GOLD - Free
Kureishi: 'The NHS only functions on immigration'
The Independent
|May 30, 2025
Author praises health service staff in talk about paralysing fall

Author Hanif Kureishi has praised the work of immigrant NHS staff as he reflected on the traumatic injury that left him paralysed.
The 70-year-old author of The Buddha of Suburbia and The Black Album fainted and fell on his head after suffering a dizzy spell on Boxing Day 2022 while staying in Rome, Italy.
Mr Kureishi, the screenwriter behind the 1985 film My Beautiful Laundrette, broke his neck and was left unable to move his limbs.
He documented his experiences in hospital in Italy and later in London by dictating his thoughts to family members, who published them as blogs on the newsletter platform Substack.
Mr Kureishi’s dispatches from his hospital bed were eventually expanded and published as a memoir in 2024 titled Shattered.
This story is from the May 30, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Independent

The Independent
Ruthless England dismantle South Africa in cup opener
Spinner Linsey Smith set the tone in the 10-wicket victory
2 mins
October 04, 2025

The Independent
Ex-nurse hoping to help the Church's medicine go down
While most in the CofE welcome Sarah Mullally breaking its stained-glass ceiling, her appointment may not sit so well with conservative congregations, says Catherine Pepinster
3 mins
October 04, 2025

The Independent
DEI is falling out of fashion
Burberry has sacked its head of inclusion to save money, and it could be the start of a hot new trend
4 mins
October 04, 2025

The Independent
After Crumpsall, can Britain ever feel safe for Jews again?
Crumpsall, of all places.
3 mins
October 04, 2025

The Independent
Why ditching climate change act would damage our nation
You have to hand it to Kemi Badenoch. She has united an extraordinary coalition today.
2 mins
October 04, 2025

The Independent
Tuchel defends leaving out England stars from squad
Thomas Tuchel raised eyebrows by not recalling some of England's biggest individual stars, instead keeping faith with the squad that impressed against Serbia last month (PA)
4 mins
October 04, 2025

The Independent
Church chooses first female Archbishop of Canterbury
Dame Sarah Mullally has told of her joy in making history as the first woman to be named Archbishop of Canterbury while paying tribute to those who paved the way for the moment.
3 mins
October 04, 2025

The Independent
The Tories must become the party of business again
At major sports matches, there is the main event, then sometimes they invite their reserve or junior sides to compete.
4 mins
October 04, 2025

The Independent
Are TV chefs out of season?
Celebrity cooks and primetime television go together like bacon and eggs, so why is food programming down 40%? Andrew Turvil believes social media is where it's all cooking
5 mins
October 04, 2025

The Independent
HOLLYWOOD'S AI-LIST
The creation of artificial intelligence 'actor' Tilly Norwood is a studio exec's dream and an anti-art abomination, but how worried should real thespians be?
3 mins
October 04, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size