Poles in Britain fly back home even for dental check-ups

London: Poles who moved to London fly their children home for medical and dental treatment because they do not trust the NHS.

At least 100,000 people from Poland have moved to the capital since the country joined the European Union two years ago.

But many return home for health care, claiming it is cheaper and superior with shorter waits and more specialists. Some take children home even for routine doctor's appointments.

Anna Goscik, 26, from Ealing, said: "The NHS is no good I always go back to Poland with the children. GPs here just give out paracetamol. In Poland, they take it more seriously.

"I also go to the dentist in Poland because it is better and cheaper. In England there are more jobs and the schools are better but not health."

Joanna Fryzlewioz, 28, from Perivale, said: "In Poland, it is easier to have a baby because women stay in hospital for three days after giving birth, not for 24 hours like here. Also, you don't wait for too long in Poland.

"My children will have more chance of a job here, they can learn English better and it's better to go to school here but I didn't come for better health care.

Natalia Sokoli, 24, from Ealing, said: "The health care systems are very different. Although our country is poorer, we have got specialist paediatricians so if your child is sick you see one straight away, not a GP.

"That's a good thing because they are well qualified and very, very good. In this country, you have to wait to see the paediatrician and you have to be referred to the hospital. If your child is sick it might be a big problem because you have to wait." Mother of one Mrs Sokoli moved to England six years ago and gave birth in Queen Charlotte Hospital, Shepherd's Bush.

She said: "The hospital was good but you have to feed the baby and take care of it straight away and they will discharge you within 24 hours. They leave you and only come to help if you have a problem.

"Also, when I go to Poland I always go to the dentist, where they are cheaper. Here, you have to pay a lot to have a filling. Sometimes, if people have problems, they fly back. If women have to see a gynaecologist they go because they don't know how to look for one here and they feel safer there."

Aneta Bodo said: "I gave birth here to my daughter Veronica and had to leave the hospital in one day. Luckily everything was all right and I had my mother to help me."