as someone who works in the nhs (mental health services).....i can honestly say that the last 10 years has destroyed it. too much is being sold off for cash (to pay for mp's 11%/expenses/fine dining/booze), all those who recently 'retired' are mysteriously still employed by the same trust (wasting millions of £'s) and things have reached breaking point. it is no longer safe to practice as a nurse, and many of my colleagues and i have ridiculous caseloads, no equipment or beds for patients and are simply waiting to be dragged in front of coroners etc. as a result of all the pressure. and we had to strike for a paltry 1% we were promised 4 years ago! i have moved into teaching and am so glad that clinical practice makes up so little of my time now - if i went too uni all over again, there is no way i would become a nurse or midwife.....the stress is simply too much. privatisation isn't the answer - it is the problem! the more the nhs turns to profit, the less patients and staff will be considered. it is as simple as that.