RCoA response to the UK leaving the EU

Professor Ravi Mahajan, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said:

“The College is urging the government to put patient safety and healthcare at the heart of the Brexit negotiations during the transition period.

“Leaving the European Union will have far-reaching implications for health and social care across the United Kingdom. We need to see a strong commitment from the government that any deal will not compromise the availability of life-saving medicines and medical devices, or reduce UK participation in European research and collaboration on data sharing and health security.

“As the recent report from the Migration Advisory Committee indicates, there will be winners and losers with any future immigration system. It is vital that the health and social care’s ability to recruit talent from Europe is protected, while the UK grows its own health and social care workforce. The Government must avoid putting any additional pressure on an already stretched NHS and a social care system which is at breaking point.

“The scale of the challenge must not be underestimated and the Government needs to work with Medical Royal Colleges and healthcare organisations to achieve the best deal for patients, doctors and the future of the NHS.”