Market making and the production of nurses for export: a case study of India-UK health worker migration.

The dialectic of producing emigratory and customised nurses is similar to that seen in the Post-Fordist manufacturing model characterised by flexible specialisation and a networked structure. As the commodity in this case are people attempting to improve their position in life, these markets require attention from health policy makers. Nurse production regimes based on international market opportunities are liable to change, subjecting nurses to the risk of having trained for a market that can no longer accommodate them. The commercial nature of activities further entrenches existing socioeconomic inequalities in the Indian nurse force. Negative repercussions for the source healthcare system can be anticipated as highly qualified, specialised nurses leave to work in healthcare systems abroad.