Most out-patient care is delivered by doctors, dentists and medical auxiliaries working in their own practices.

BBC: Healthcare around the world

Dr. RUTH BERGGREN (Associate Professor, Adult Infectious Diseases, Tulane Medical Center and Charity Hospital): Sitting in the HIV out-patient clinic, taking care of an uninsured man who's coughing, I cannot get a smear on him to diagnose tuberculosis in the city of New Orleans.

NPR: Officials: Louisiana Hospitals Face Years of Recovery

HMOs refer to the proportion of premiums they pay out for patient care as their "medical-loss ratio"--a chilling choice of words.

CNN: Backlash Against HMOs

The RCM said if action was taken it would fall short of an all-out strike as they did not want to harm patient care, but it could include working to rule.

BBC: Midwives have never taken industrial action

But Patients Association chief executive Katherine Murphy said patient care - including helping with feeding and taking patients to the toilet - should be carried out by nurses.

BBC: RCN wants longer hospital visiting hours