05.03.18
BMA warns that hard border risks damaging care for patients
A hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland would risk damaging patient care, the BMA has warned.
The comments come following Theresa May’s speech on Brexit, in which she repeated her pledge to maintain a soft border between the two countries.
Dr. Andrew Dearden, BMA treasurer, welcomed the pledge, explaining that the health services in the two countries often do not have enough demand to provide cost-effective, highly specialised medical services, with the “only viable way” to provide these services being to deliver them across both countries.
The last two decades have seen “real progress” in the provision of all-island healthcare, which Dearden said has improved care for patients, and allowed both countries to retain highly trained doctors, who otherwise may not have had the patient demand necessary to warrant their full-time expertise.
“If border restrictions are introduced following Brexit we risk reversing this progress and damaging patient care,” he added.
Dearden also welcomed the government’s plans to explore associate membership of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which helps to provide the UK with timely and safe access to medicines, and helps the EU to access medicines developed in the UK.
“We want to see the government work closely with the EMA through a formal agreement to continue to support and participate in their assessments for medicines approvals,” he said.
However, he expressed disappointment that the speech did not provide any further clarity on what the future holds for EU citizens living in the UK, or what a future immigration model will look like.
He explained: “It is vital that any future immigration system is flexible enough to ensure the NHS can recruit and retain doctors and other NHS workers in sufficient numbers and that the professional qualifications of medical staff continue to be recognised in the UK and in the EU.
“Our NHS and patient care are all the richer for having a diverse workforce - it’s crucial we don’t lose valuable experience and expertise because of Brexit.”
Top image: Andrew Linscott
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