SIR - Potential nurses from countries such as New Zealand, Canada and the West Indies now have to sit English language tests and undergo a three-week training programme, although their training is based on the UK system.

At the same time, nurses from eastern Europe can come here and start work immediately without any checks at all. This is daft - even though it would contravene EU law they should be needed to prove they can cope in our hospitals.

MARK STARR,

Leigh Sinton.