Fascinating . . . While the rest of us are worrying about it, Dorcas Gwata is doing something about it. - HHJ Wendy Joseph, author of Unlawful Killings

The appetite for medical memoirs has never been greater . . . a welcome and important addition. - The Independent, Books to Look Out for in 2026

Through the lives of ten young people, an award-winning nurse reveals the impact of gang culture on mental health. Dorcas Gwata is an award-winning nurse specializing in mental health. She has worked closely with vulnerable young people exposed to knife crime, sexual exploitation, drug use, and poor mental health linked to gangs.

In The Street Clinic, we follow her work as she meets and cares for young people on the street and on their own terms. We meet Fuz, who is on trial for aggravated assault. There’s Abdul, who’s exploring his sexuality and has been humiliated online. Louise’s promising future is threatened by her controlling boyfriend. And there’s Zane, whose parents’ divorce creates an emotional void in his life that is filled by a poorly chosen new friendship.

Drawing on her own experiences of loss and social injustice, and twenty-five years on the NHS frontline, Dorcas offers an overview of London: its multicultural population, wealth disparities, tireless healthcare professionals, and an NHS that doesn’t always serve everyone equally. She asks the big questions: What is behind London’s youth violence crisis? What is its impact on the mental health of its victims? How are families of young people and the wider community affected?

By revealing some uncomfortable truths about British society, The Street Clinic is also a powerful story of resilience, strength, and ultimately, hope.

Photographs by Chanel Pinnock

Pages: 304, Year of Publication: 2021, Dimensions: 13.5x13.5cm