‘It has become clear to the BMA that the risks of Brexit for the nation’s health are too great, and that it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure the kind of deal which will work to the benefit of patients, the medical workforce and health services across the UK and Europe.’
These words are from Dr Chaand Nagpaul, British Medical Association Council Chair, from the August 2018 briefing on the danger of a ‘no deal’ Brexit on the health service.
The report looks at:
- Workforce and future immigration policy
- Northern Ireland
- Medicine and medical device regulation
- Reciprocal healthcare arrangements
- Recognition of professional qualifications and patient safety
- Health improvement
- Health protection and health security
- Medical research
- Rare diseases: impact on patients
Key points include:
- With less than eight months to go until the UK leaves the EU, there is still too much uncertainty around the implications of Brexit for patients, doctors and health services.
- A ‘no deal’ Brexit could have wide ranging, and potentially damaging consequences for health services across the UK and Europe, including on workforce and immigration, Northern Ireland, access to medicines, reciprocal health care, professional qualifications and patient safety, access to medical radioisotopes, medical research and rare diseases.
- Now that more is known regarding the potential impact of Brexit, the BMA is calling for the public to have a final, informed say on the Brexit deal, including the option to reject the notion of a ‘no deal’ given the serious risks such an outcome carries.
