Where have all the nurses gone?

It started with a very basic question from my editor at File on 4: why haven't we got enough nurses? Where did they all go?

It turned out none of us knew the answer. I thought maybe no-one wanted to be nurses any more. Long hours, low pay, little thanks....

But I was wrong. Many many people want to take nursing degrees. Yet we are flying over thousands of nurses from the continent. Strange. 

Until you learn that four years ago hospital trusts either seeking to cut posts or balance their books to win foundation status, started 'ordering' fewer nurses from universities. 

It takes 3 years to train a nurse and the NHS is only now reversing the trend of cutting the numbers being trained - so we're still in a mess. 

Nurses from countries like Portugal are welcome and highly trained. But they come at a cost - in Luton & Dunstable Hospital's case, at £5,000 on top of their salary - in recruitment fees, English lessons and free accommodation to start them off. 

Sometimes a simple question leads to some very interesting findings! The programme is here  - http://www.janedeith.com/investigative

Will the real Richard III please stand up?

Interesting topic at Channel 4 News this week which has stretched my knowledge of English history and genetics. I also met a descendant of Richard III - his great grand nephew 17 times removed, who'll also be making his coffin! Fascinating.

There to pick you up when you fall? Those who say they've been dropped by the NHS.

My latest File on 4 goes out on Radio 4 at 8pm on Tuesday night (18th November).

Continuing care? Is the NHS moving the goalposts?

It's about Continuing Healthcare, a little  better known as 'the secret NHS fund'.

'Secret' because most of us have never heard of this pot of money to pay for all your medical, nursing and - if needed - nursing home costs, if you have a long term, complex health need; end-stage Parkinsons for example.

Or, like Pat, you have a broken neck and are tetraplegic, after falling down the stairs. The NHS was there to pick her up when she fell. But three years later it says she doesn't have a primary health need and should make do with social care. 

Who's right? Who's wrong? - you can hear Pat's story - and the NHS' argument, and decide for yourself.

Be interesting to hear what you think!