Return of British expats following Brexit ‘could lead to higher NHS costs’

A new report has indicated that the NHS could see a rise in demand for services if retired British expats are forced to return to the UK after Brexit.

The Nuffield Trust analysis has indicated that the NHS could face a bill of almost half a billion pounds if retired British people currently living in other EU countries return to the UK because their right to healthcare in those countries is withdrawn.

Around 190,000 British pensioners currently live in other EU countries like France and Spain and receive healthcare under the EU reciprocal S1 scheme.

This figure could be even higher if the NHS has to pay to replace staff due to reductions in EU migration or increases in the cost of medicines, with care homes and homecare agencies facing a shortfall of as many as 70,000 staff short by 2025-26 as a result.

According to the trust, this underlines the importance of the NHS being recognised as a significant priority as the Brexit negotiations commence.

Report author Mark Dayan, a Nuffield Trust policy and public affairs analyst, said: "It is possible that extra funds could be found for the NHS from any cancellation of Britain’s EU membership fees – but whether or not these benefits will outweigh the significant staffing and financial costs Brexit may impose on already stretched services remains to be seen."

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