It’s clearly impossible to forecast the impact on the health and social care services of leaving the EU.

Several issues do need to be resolved, identified here and elsewhere.

* STAFFING. Many health and social care professionals working in the UK have come from other EU countries - 55,000 of the NHS’s 1.3 million workforce and 80,000 of the similar number of workers in the adult social care sector. BOTH struggle to recruit and retain permanent staff. EU staff already working in the UK are needed - as are future recruits for vacancies which can’t otherwise be filled. There should also be a " level playing field " for those coming to the UK from OUTSIDE the EU.


* ACCESSING TREATMENT. As the population increases it’s likely there will be MORE need for NHS treatment and social care. However, immigrants and visitors tend to be younger, and may not use the services as much as older citizens.

1. European Health Insurance Card / EHIC gives access to state health services in other EU countries. The right to EHIC cards needs to be retained - so that insurers don’t have to bear the costs of medical treatment ( and increase premiums ).

2. Access to health services for UK " expats " living in other EU countries needs to be negotiated, just as access for EU citizens living in the UK.


* REGULATION :-

1.Working Time Directive - a " double-edged sword ", intended to PROTECT healthcare workers - and their patients - from overwork, BUT the 48 hour/week limit affects training / increases shift working.

2.Procurement and competition law - preventing " anti-competitive behaviour " - may not change.

3.Medicines and Clinical Trials - at present " harmonised " across the EU - the UK’s own Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency needs expanding.


* CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION. The EU has a system for monitoring communicable diseases, and also research and development. It’s VITAL to continue collaboration with EU - and non-EU countries.


* FUNDING / FINANCE. Clearly the most important influence on NHS funding is performance of the ECONOMY. NHS and social services already struggle to live within their existing budgets. Additional funding is needed, and/or ( compulsory ) health insurance.


* Department of Health needs to review EU regulations and either repeal them or replace with UK -drafted alternatives - a time-consuming task !

Meantime, stay POSITIVE - I wish the best possible health for all members and their loved ones, here and in the Philippines .