Many members and their relatives are nurses or are involved through romance and marriage. The forum is therefore well informed and able to offer help and advice .
As there are more nurses trained than needed in the Philippines, it is on the UK Department of Health list allowing " ethical recruitment ". But we all know tighter immigration requirements for overseas workers, cutbacks, and recruitment from EU countries have dashed the dreams of many nurses from the Philippines.
For those committed to the UK, there's the second best option of healthcare assistants. But we need more nurses - watch " Call the Midwife ", as recommended by Rosie, which highlights our present crisis in maternity care. From next year nurse training in the UK is graduate-only. In my opinion that will put off girls and boys from a nursing career, worsening the shortage. But it may also increase - once again - the need for nurses from the Philippines.
These links may be useful to understand the present situation.

1. http://www.nmc-uk.org/Registration/J...de-the-EU--EEA ( Essential document from Nursing & Midwifery Council )
2. www.pnauk.org.uk ( Philippine Nurses Association of UK )
3 .www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
4 .www.ielts.org ( International English Language Test )
5.www.rcn.org.uk/nursing ( Royal College of Nursing website )
6. www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16252846 ( Regulation of Healthcare assistants )
7. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011...ipinos-uk-jobs ( nurse training in Philippines and lack of vacancies in UK )
8. www.emigrate.co.uk/news/2213342.html ( UK nurse immigration slows ).
9. http://www.nursing-agencies-list.com...nformation.asp ( information for overseas nurses in UK )