Brexit: No Deal carries "too many risks" says NHS Confederation chief

Following last weeks House of Commons votes on Brexit, Niall Dickson, co-chair of the Brexit Health Alliance and chief executive of the NHS Confederation, has stated that an agreement with a transition period is preferable to ‘no deal’.

Dickson stated: “Every part of the health sector is working flat out to reduce the impact of ‘no deal’ on patients and the public.

“But there are still too many risks and this could endanger lives.

“It may be stating the obvious but abruptly ending collaboration on medicines and devices, clinical research, treatments for rare diseases, public health, and access to healthcare while abroad is not good for patients.

“We are not reassured that it will all be fine if ‘everyone does what they’re supposed to’ – the reality is we will be faced with any number of uncertainties, from challenges with freight contracts to passing legislation on a specific date, and to any number of individual decisions made by doctors or patients.

“For the safety of patients, an agreement with a transition period would be preferable to ‘no-deal’.”

Earlier this month, responding to a warning that the UK would drop out of a Europe-wide initiative to protect patients from fake medicines, Niall Dickson, co-chair of the Brexit Health Alliance, said:

“It would be a tragedy were the UK not to be a part of this new system which ultimately protects patients from fake medicines. And it is another reason why the growing prospect of leaving the EU with no deal is a matter of such concern.

“No patient should suffer as a result of Brexit. A ‘no-deal’ without alternative arrangements to protect patients is simply not acceptable and could put lives at risk.”

The Brexit Health Alliance is working to ensure that issues such as healthcare research, access to technologies and treatment of patients are given the prominence and attention they deserve in the Brexit negotiations, and argues that it is in both Europe and the UK’s interests to maintain co-operation in research and in handling public health issues.

It has also called on the UK government to make sure there is a commitment to medical research and providing alternative funding, and that UK citizens’ right to receive healthcare in EU countries is preserved.