Security and skills: the two key issues in health worker migration

Figures & data

Table 1 Characteristics of participants

	N
Professional training
- Doctor	6
- Nurse	10 (*5 also held a midwifery qualification)
Working in the United Kingdom
- In the same healthcare professional role	9
- In a different speciality within healthcare	4
- Studying	3
Gender
- Male	4
- Female	12
Age
- Less than 35 years old	3
- More than 35 years old	13
Ethnicity
- White	11
- Non-white	5
Lived in the United Kingdom for
- Less than 5 years	4
- More than 5 years	12
Dependent children
- Yes	8
- No	8

Table 2 Emerging themes which influenced the decisions of South African health workers to migrate to the United Kingdom

	Reasons to leave South Africa	Reasons to migrate to the United Kingdom
Endogenous (within the health system)	• High HIV prevalence • Staff shortages • Heavy workload • Lack of resources • Bullied at work • Impact of affirmative action on job prospects	• Desire to experience a ‘first world healthcare system’ • Gain skills that can be used to help the South African system (doctors). • Historical active recruitment practices
Exogenous (beyond the health system)	• High crime rates • Fears over personal safety • Concern over political climate (anti-white sentiments) • Despondency over state of non-health facilities in the country • Corruption	• Low crime rates • English speaking • Historical links • Geographically close to South Africa (relative to other English-speaking countries) • Close to Europe – increased exposure to travel opportunities • Friends/family already living in the United Kingdom • Friends/family applying to work in the United Kingdom Personal development • Personal development