THE outrageous cost of living in the county is hitting us right where it hurts, in our care of the ill and the vulnerable.

Rocketing house prices mean we are haemorrhaging talent in our health system left, right and centre.

We may be able to offer some of the best training around for our nurses and doctors, but what use is that if we cannot hold onto them?

Not only does this create a constant recruitment headache for our local NHS, but it also an overwhelming cause of worry for the staff we do have, as well as patients.

Having longstanding, settled healthcare workers means they can get to know their patients, their neighbourhoods, adding a valuable dimension to the compassion and care they already provide.

Imagine being ill and enduring a revolving door of doctors and nurses who don’t know you, or where you live, from Adam.

All NHS staff want to do is provide the best possible care. How can they when they look into the future and realise they cannot afford a settled life here?

This creates a ticking time-bomb for staffing levels in our hospitals but also adds an extra worry for NHS workers already battling immense cuts and changes to contracts.