African health crisis: 'At home, there's a lack of opportunity'

Jefferson Misolas was happy working as a nurse in his native Philippines but five years ago he decided to come to work at a busy London hospital, not least because it offered him a far larger salary.

Mr Misolas, 37, is one of thousands of health professionals drawn to Britain for economic benefits and a higher standard of living. He works at the Middlesex, one of eight hospitals forming the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH).

The hospital's many international doctors are not unique to UCLH but are a snapshot of hospitals across Britain which rely on the expertise of trained overseas professionals. As well as attracting people like Mr Misolas, UCLH co-operates with countries such as South Africa so that its health workers can sample life in Britain for 18-24 months while being guaranteed a job at home.

Mr Misolas said there were many reasons for coming to Britain to work. "I came here mainly for economic reasons but also for opportunities to specialise in nursing and for the chance to travel. Back home, there is a lack of opportunity for the vast majority, but not for me personally. I was already employed. But of course the salary I was offered here is much better.

"I think most Filipino nurses would stay at home if there were more opportunities as most of us have our families and friends there," he said.

He has not ruled out returning home if economic conditions improve but added: "I guess a better question would be 'would I be interested to transfer to another country?' The US is aggressive with recruitment and makes tempting offers, so I will not be surprised if a lot of foreign nurses take up those offers."