BMA warns of healthcare impact of losing Irish ‘soft border’

The British Medical Association (BMA) has warned the next government that a failure to maintain a 'soft border' between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could have negative repercussions for healthcare provision.

As the UK prepares to leave the European Union, there remains considerable uncertainty over whether Brexit will mean the return of a hard border between Northern Ireland, which will no longer be part of the EU, and the Republic, which remains an EU member.

The BMA cautioned that this could threaten existing open-border arrangements and access to specialist medical services, as the only viable way to cost-effectively provide certain services is to deliver them across both countries.

Significant growth in the provision of all-island healthcare has been seen in recent years, resulting in improved care for patients and making it easier to retain doctors. As such, the BMA says it is essential that this is maintained.

BMA council chair Mark Porter said: "The next government must maintain a soft border after Brexit to help ensure that cross-border health services and patient access to healthcare are not affected by leaving the EU."

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