Thank you Philip !


" Monitor " and " Trust Development Authority " have published these new rules in response to a growing demand for nurses due to increasing seven day access for patients to hospital and GP services ; more nurses leaving the profession and limits to supply of nurses from UK training and other sources such as the Philippines.


Both Monitor and Trust Development Authority are " executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department of Health ". No wonder that few clinical staff are prepared to take on jobs such as directors of nursing and medicine – when the jobs themselves are so tough and the culture of fear and blame so prevalent … added to the challenge of understanding what the various authorities, agencies and quangos actually do !


A cap on the rate paid to agency workers might control costs – but as you say, only worsening morale and not addressing the reasons for needing agency staff in the first place


We should indeed count our blessings that we still have a UK NHS with dedicated healthcare workers such as Cheekee, and surely be concerned about improving health in the Philippines.