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