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Will Brexit threaten UK and Europe's healthcare?

The British Medical Association (BMA) has warned that Brexit risks undermining healthcare in the UK and Europe in an address to the European Parliament.

Failure to maintain mutual recognition of professional qualifications, the UK’s exit from Euratom, and the possibility of a hard border between the Republic and Northern Ireland, all pose risks to UK and EU health services, said BMA EU public affairs manager Paul Laffin (pictured) to a meeting of the environment, public health and food safety committee.

Mr Laffin warned that while the potential impacts of Brexit would have severe consequences for the NHS, the health services of remaining member states were also likely to be negatively affected: “The most significant issue facing the British and the European medical profession is the medical workforce,” he asserted. “The EU’s principles of free movement and the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, have resulted in over 21,000 European-qualified doctors working in the UK.

“Quite simply the UK is extremely dependent upon European doctors and also European medical professionals.

“Despite that, it is not just the UK which has benefited from mutual recognition of professional qualifications and free movement… in short, mutual recognition and free movement benefits the whole of Europe and all of your national health systems.”

Paul Laffin added: “While Brexit will fundamentally alter both the UK and the EU, it must not be permitted to threaten Europe’s health. This committee, this institution, you as individuals – can go some way to ensuring that it doesn’t.”

Since the 2016 referendum, the BMA has been working closely with its counterparts across Europe to highlight to the UK Government and the EU the critical importance Brexit poses to healthcare across the continent.

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Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

ESGE Days 2024, Symposium – ‘Elevating Endoscopy: Inspiring Progress and Innovation’

Estrel Congress Center (room 15), Berlin, Germany
25th April 2024, 16:30 – 17:30 CEST

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

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