[lettie]

I have to agree that when it comes to the NHS people will complain about anything. I have to disagree that nurses and midwives go abroad for better cash. All of the people that I work with that have gone abroad recently have put 10 years or more into the NHS. Some of them are not actually getting more cash but better working conditions, giving more care and doing less paperwork. I have to say that their reports of their new working lives are very appealing compared to working in the NHS here. I don't blame them for a second for getting off their collective arses and finding themselves better lives.

I love that the NHS is free, but I can forsee a day when it won't be. Too many people come to this country and take advantage. Denmark had a similar system but imposed new rules a few years ago. Basically the Danes are not allowed to marry outside of their own country until they reach the age of 24. If they do marry someone living abroad, they are not allowed to bring that person into the country until they are 24. According to a Danish colleague of mine, this has drastically reduced the number of young spouses coming into the country, falling pregnant and taking advantage of their maternity and child welfare services. Maybe it's high time for a review in the system of who is, and who is not entitled to NHS care..