The government must deliver certainty for EU staff
14 November 2017
- British Medical Association publishes survey findings of EEA doctors working in the UK.
- It finds that almost half are considering leaving the UK following the EU referendum result
- We say the government should reassure them that their commitment to the NHS is greatly valued and will continue to be welcome.
A British Medical Association (BMA) survey of EEA doctors has found that almost half are considering leaving following the EU referendum result, with almost one in five having already made solid plans to relocate elsewhere.
Its survey found:
- Almost half (45%) are considering leaving the UK following the referendum vote, with another 29 per cent saying they are unsure about whether they will leave;
- of those considering leaving, more than a third (39%) have made plans to leave, meaning almost one in five EEA doctors (18 per cent) have made plans to leave the UK;
- a majority (77%) said a negative outcome to Brexit negotiations on citizens’ rights would make them more likely to consider leaving the UK.
Responding to survey findings from the British Medical Association on EU doctors planning to leave the UK following the Brexit vote, the director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:
“There is increasing evidence that Brexit is having an adverse impact on staff recruitment and retention in the NHS.
The government must deliver certainty for EU staff. It should reassure them that their commitment to the NHS is greatly valued and will continue to be welcome.
“Our report published last week There for us: a better future for the NHS workforce showed how uncertainty over international recruitment is threatening safe, high quality care for patients.
“The government must deliver certainty for EU staff. It should reassure them that their commitment to the NHS is greatly valued and will continue to be welcome. It should also provide assurance on immigration policy so trusts can continue to recruit overseas while we strengthen our workforce here.”