Healthcare sector bodies urge caution following Brexit vote

Healthcare sector bodies have called on the government to take steps to ensure the UK's imminent departure from the EU does not impact health services.

Following the vote in favour of Brexit on June 23rd, the British Medical Association has urged politicians "not to play games" with the NHS, particularly in terms of cutting off the country's access to European staff on with the health service currently relies.

The Royal College of Nursing agreed that it is essential that these workers continue to receive support, while pledging to carry out work to document the potential impact of Brexit on the sector as a whole.

Meanwhile, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) has underlined the importance of making sure worker rights and NHS investment continue to be adequately safeguarded even once the country leaves the EU. 

A statement from the CSP's council chair Catherine Pope and chief executive Professor Karen Middleton said: "The risk is that protracted negotiations distract the attention of politicians and decision-makers away from developing more prevention-focused, integrated and accessible health and social care services."