Brexit: Uncertain Times for the NHS

With the formal triggering of Article 50 last week, the future of the NHS and position of EU workers in the UK continues to have a large question mark hanging over it.

Thanks to the EU policy of freedom of movement and mutual recognition of professional qualifications within the EU, around 55,000 of 1.2 million workers in the NHS workforce are from EU countries.

However, recent surveys have revealed that 42% of European health staff are thinking of leaving the UK. Whilst the issue remains unclear, workers are taking matters into their own hands and deciding to leave their positions before they are potentially forced into doing so. There is already a shortage of staff in the NHS, particularly a gap in nursing services. A 2015 study showed that 4.5% of NHS nurses were from EU countries however the worry and uncertainty of Brexit could lead nurses from wider EU countries to lose interest in coming to Britain, says the Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive.

So where do we go from here and when will we find out the answers to the many pressing questions that many of us have? Will there be a right of remain for EU nationals in the healthcare system? Will funding continue for clinical research and projects? Will British citizens be able to continue receiving free healthcare in EU countries?

Collaboration with other European countries is vital when it comes to research, testing and regulation and has led to the development of many products and services. How will Brexit affect the import and export of medicines or the regulatory pathways to have products brought to market?

On the opposing side, the Leave campaign has claimed that leaving the EU would allow the government to spend an extra £100m a week on the NHS by 2020. Could this really happen?

Will the promises materialise and will definitive answers be given? At the moment, the only answer we have is that the answers are uncertain. However, whilst all the negotiations and deals continue, the impact on health and social care for those who need it most should not be forgotten.

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