NHS Under Strain: The Impact of 'Brexit'
Never in a million years did I expect a response as the one the UK awoke to last Friday. Despite joking about it for weeks I am a staunch believer in the EU and strongly disagree with the 51.9% of the country who have now voted to remove us from the EU. Not only does this mean huge impacts on immigration, housing, the economy, the UK's place on the global stage but more importantly it means a big change for the NHS, which is already under strain.
The Leave Campaign repeatedly argued that 'Brexit' would save the NHS by redirecting funding from the EU budget and cutting immigration to reduce pressure on services. Despite this repeated sentiment, and the fact that it was written on a bus driven around the UK to encourage voters to Vote Leave, one of the first things Nigel Farage said Friday morning, after having won the referendum, was that that statement was a mistake. He claimed that there is no way that they can guarantee this figure.
In the face of the result of this referendum the Leave campaign have already backtracked on several major policies. At time of publication, they have backtracked on their promises regarding immigration, NHS funding, the economy and return of control.
In the past few days we have also seen political upheaval as the Conservatives begin a long leadership contest, and Labour self combusts as more than half the shadow cabinet has resigned and a no-confidence vote has been called over leader Jeremy Corbyn. Moreover the economy has already felt the impact of 'Brexit' as the pound fell to a 31 year low, and despite some recovery this morning, British finances have taken a hit. In the face of all this there are now strong, adamant calls in both Scotland and Northern Ireland (who both voted to Remain) to break away from the UK in order to remain in the EU.
Whilst all this adds to uncertainty around the future of the UK, the EU and indeed their joint future, there is a similar uncertainty over the impact on the NHS. Major universities have already begun sending students emails to reassure them, especially EU students that their status is unchanged for now, as they also try to reassure the rest of the continent. A statement has also been released by the BMA, in which Dr Mark Porter has reassured those EU citizens working for the NHS that their position is unchanged.
No one is sure of what the impact will be although there is general consensus it will put additional strain on an already strained system. The Remain camp has warned that Brexit could result in an NHS staffing crisis and aftershocks on the economy would reduce funding for the healthcare department.
It is estimated one hundred and thirty thousand people out of the 1.2 million staff in the English NHS are citizens of other EU countries according to the NHS, where they work in a range of roles from doctors and nurses to paramedics, pharmacists and administrative staff. This roughly correlates to 10% of doctors and 5% of nurses currently working in the NHS*. The future of these people is now unclear, and will largely depend on the deal that is hammered out between Westminster and Brussels. As yet though Leave has claimed to want access to the single market and restrict immigration, which has been rejected by a united Europe. To access the single market in any way, shape or form the government will need to concede to the free movement of goods, services capital and people. Which would mean in effect EU citizens are free to stay and enjoy the same benefits as before.
The uncertainty over the movement of people, coupled with a possible loss of funding for research in various universities, which depend on EU grants, could mean a loss of scientific output and global standing of the UK. Another possible loss of funding could be in store for the NHS, should the cost of Brexit lead to a recession, which will mean the government will force through tougher austerity measures. One thing is certain though; Brexit will not mean an extra £350million a week for the NHS.
Meanwhile leading midwives including the Royal College of Midwives have raised fears over the impacts of Brexit on NHS finances, and their recruitment plans. It is clear, with uncertainty plaguing the future of the UK, that many EU students and workers may not apply to work in the UK, putting a further strain on healthcare professionals. Another change is how information will be shared across European borders. At present, there are European directives on sharing disciplinary records, however all of this will need to be re-negotiated.
Whilst major changes are afoot, trouble plagues the country. In a time when firm leadership and decisiveness is needed, PM Cameron has resigned and leading politicians such as Chancellor George Osbourne and Leave Campaign's head Boris Johnson are nowhere to be seen. The markets continue to rock as do the uncertainties regarding the future of Britain, which now faces both fractures with the EU and within the United Kingdom. One thing is for sure in these uncertain times that for better or worse, times are changing, and changing fast.
*The figures relating to the number of EU citizens working in the NHS was updated following a report by the BBC on June 30th.
The Leave Campaign repeatedly argued that 'Brexit' would save the NHS by redirecting funding from the EU budget and cutting immigration to reduce pressure on services. Despite this repeated sentiment, and the fact that it was written on a bus driven around the UK to encourage voters to Vote Leave, one of the first things Nigel Farage said Friday morning, after having won the referendum, was that that statement was a mistake. He claimed that there is no way that they can guarantee this figure.
In the face of the result of this referendum the Leave campaign have already backtracked on several major policies. At time of publication, they have backtracked on their promises regarding immigration, NHS funding, the economy and return of control.
In the past few days we have also seen political upheaval as the Conservatives begin a long leadership contest, and Labour self combusts as more than half the shadow cabinet has resigned and a no-confidence vote has been called over leader Jeremy Corbyn. Moreover the economy has already felt the impact of 'Brexit' as the pound fell to a 31 year low, and despite some recovery this morning, British finances have taken a hit. In the face of all this there are now strong, adamant calls in both Scotland and Northern Ireland (who both voted to Remain) to break away from the UK in order to remain in the EU.
Whilst all this adds to uncertainty around the future of the UK, the EU and indeed their joint future, there is a similar uncertainty over the impact on the NHS. Major universities have already begun sending students emails to reassure them, especially EU students that their status is unchanged for now, as they also try to reassure the rest of the continent. A statement has also been released by the BMA, in which Dr Mark Porter has reassured those EU citizens working for the NHS that their position is unchanged.
No one is sure of what the impact will be although there is general consensus it will put additional strain on an already strained system. The Remain camp has warned that Brexit could result in an NHS staffing crisis and aftershocks on the economy would reduce funding for the healthcare department.
It is estimated one hundred and thirty thousand people out of the 1.2 million staff in the English NHS are citizens of other EU countries according to the NHS, where they work in a range of roles from doctors and nurses to paramedics, pharmacists and administrative staff. This roughly correlates to 10% of doctors and 5% of nurses currently working in the NHS*. The future of these people is now unclear, and will largely depend on the deal that is hammered out between Westminster and Brussels. As yet though Leave has claimed to want access to the single market and restrict immigration, which has been rejected by a united Europe. To access the single market in any way, shape or form the government will need to concede to the free movement of goods, services capital and people. Which would mean in effect EU citizens are free to stay and enjoy the same benefits as before.
The uncertainty over the movement of people, coupled with a possible loss of funding for research in various universities, which depend on EU grants, could mean a loss of scientific output and global standing of the UK. Another possible loss of funding could be in store for the NHS, should the cost of Brexit lead to a recession, which will mean the government will force through tougher austerity measures. One thing is certain though; Brexit will not mean an extra £350million a week for the NHS.
Meanwhile leading midwives including the Royal College of Midwives have raised fears over the impacts of Brexit on NHS finances, and their recruitment plans. It is clear, with uncertainty plaguing the future of the UK, that many EU students and workers may not apply to work in the UK, putting a further strain on healthcare professionals. Another change is how information will be shared across European borders. At present, there are European directives on sharing disciplinary records, however all of this will need to be re-negotiated.
Whilst major changes are afoot, trouble plagues the country. In a time when firm leadership and decisiveness is needed, PM Cameron has resigned and leading politicians such as Chancellor George Osbourne and Leave Campaign's head Boris Johnson are nowhere to be seen. The markets continue to rock as do the uncertainties regarding the future of Britain, which now faces both fractures with the EU and within the United Kingdom. One thing is for sure in these uncertain times that for better or worse, times are changing, and changing fast.*The figures relating to the number of EU citizens working in the NHS was updated following a report by the BBC on June 30th.
Comments
Post a Comment