NHS will plunge into chaos without Brexit extension

The NHS Confederation has urged the Prime Minister to extend the Brexit transition period by a month to avoid plunging the NHS into chaos on 1 January.

Writing to Boris Johnson, the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS leaders from all parts of the health service, is calling for the extension to provide certainty in the short term to the NHS in order to avoid a disruptive cliff-edge moment on 1 January. It says that, with a negotiated Brexit deal looking increasingly unlikely, the NHS is staring down the barrel of having to make significant adjustments at breakneck speed as new rules, guidance and information will be implemented from 1 January without a deal.

Such a scenario will undoubtedly increase the risks to patients as the NHS is already dealing with unprecedented coronavirus and winter pressures.

The letter acknowledges the significant preparations that have been made within the health sector to ensure the NHS is as prepared as it can be regarding the continuity of supply of medical products from the EU. However, it says that preparing for much of the disruption is outside the gift of the Department of Health and Social Care, and therefore outlines a range of areas where the NHS faces major uncertainty. For example, the NHS still lacks clarity on the rules and reimbursement arrangements for EU citizens requiring treatment in the UK, and, added to this, a No-Deal would also see the loss of participation in EU-wide data-sharing platforms and alert systems to exchange information about health threats; the loss of EU-wide research and testing of new treatments; the loss of UK citizens’ access to healthcare in the EU when travelling; and the loss of mobility for researchers and clinicians wanting to practice across UK/EU borders, sharing and expanding our collective expertise.

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Confederation, said: “The Prime Minister’s decision at the weekend to introduce tougher restrictions in light of the deteriorating situation facing the NHS was the right one. The UK has just recorded its highest ever daily rise in infections and over the next few days patients in hospital with Covid-19 will breach the peak of the first wave. The virus has found another gear and will leave the NHS in its wake, so we support the actions the Government has taken to protect the NHS.  

“But a similarly tough stance is needed in the event of a No-Deal outcome. Come 1 January, the NHS will be battling the greatest challenge in its history during what is traditionally its busiest time of year. The last thing NHS leaders need now is further disruption brought about by the potential failure to negotiate a Brexit deal. The NHS will be flooded with new rules, guidance and information and be required to make significant adjustments at short notice. The circumstances could not possibly be worse.  

“An extension of a few weeks will not mitigate all the challenges. But it will take us out of the immediate danger zone, and it will enable the NHS to continue to focus on fighting the pandemic without having to contend with disruptive changes brought about by a No-Deal outcome. This will buy us more time to ensure a more planned exit and we urge the Prime Minister to take this action now.”