Kate Woodhead RGN DMS considers some of the potential implications for the health sector of Brexit – from regulation and staffing, to cross-border cooperation in relation to infectious diseases.
The NHS is in a fragile state. Workload increases inexorably, the dire state of finances can only be guessed at ahead of the NHS budget discussions in parliament and the uncertain economic impact of Brexit will all increase the stress already being felt in surgeries, ambulances and hospitals by workers and patients alike. It is not at all clear yet what the outcome of the referendum will look like in practice.
During the referendum campaign both sides used the NHS to sway emotional responses and none were very edifying or indeed reasonable cases to be made. There has been much made of the inaccuracy of the £350 million claim which may be saved by not giving it to Brussels in future, but instead may be given to NHS. The truth is that the entire basis on which many of the claims and counterclaims were made have since been retracted or ignored – there were many exaggerations made to shore up complex points or give us sound bites.
What cannot be disputed is that, since we voted to exit, exit we must. It will be a tortuous process and there are many aspects and threads of our lives which are inextricably linked to the European Union, its life and laws. It is to be hoped that removing ourselves can be done cleanly and with as little pain as possible, but I am an optimist.
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
