Broken

Broken explores how health and social care services in England are failing the most vulnerable from a patient’s point of view. The story is autobiographical and describes a series of events that happened in 2022. It brings to life the state of public health and social care in England as it struggles to cope.

Abstract illustration of a mans face with closed eyes and an expression of distress, overlapping with drawings of ships. The title BROKEN: How Has It Come to This? is at the top, with Words & illustrations by Hugh Hadfield at the bottom.

A comic-style illustration shows a Tudor-style care home with a garden. Adjacent panels depict elderly individuals in a gathering. Narrative text describes a mans move to a care home and his COVID-19 experience there.

A watercolor image sequence featuring an elderly man with glasses in a hospital bed. The background displays abstract green, blue, and black textures.

On the left, a colorful sketch of an older man with glasses, slightly abstract. On the right, a textured grayscale image with the text It took eight hours for the ambulance to arrive.

A black-and-white illustration shows two people loading a stretcher into an ambulance, with a mobile text conversation on top. On the right, text emits from a ringing telephone, filling the page with RING RING RING.

Illustrated hospital scene with patients in beds along a corridor. One person wears a mask and glasses while another looks at a phone. Medical staff in uniforms are visible. Text overlay describes the chaos and disbelief of the observer.

A book page showing digital drawings of ducks on a map overlay on the left and an abstract blue ink drawing of trees and foliage on the right. A text conversation is displayed on the left side.

Abstract black and white illustration with surreal elements: a large eye, skulls, and distorted faces. Text reads: DAY 10 followed by narrative text, blending chaotic lines and shapes in a dreamlike, nightmarish style.