28.06.16
EU staff are “valued and hugely appreciated”, says Chief Nursing Officer
The chief nursing officer for England has reassured European Union staff in the NHS that their contributions are valued following last week’s vote for the UK to leave the EU.
Professor Jane Cummings said that the referendum has “raised a number of questions” about the impact on EU nationals working in the UK.
“I wanted to take this opportunity to confirm to all EU nurses, midwives and care assistants working in England’s health and care system that you are valued and hugely appreciated,” she said. “You are an integral and vital part of the health and care family, and your skills and compassionate care directly benefit patients, families and communities.
“Your vital contribution to our work together will continue; you are appreciated by me and, most of all, by those we care for.”
Following the referendum result, Dr Mark Porter, chair of the British Medical Association (BMA), said that BMA members “stand together as one profession” with colleagues from Europe and across the world.
And Stephen Dalton, the interim chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said on Friday that the NHS has “broadly benefited” from being in the EU and will need to be protected in any exit agreement.
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