BMJ calls on doctors to remain in EU

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has officially backed remaining in the European Union (EU), with its editors urging doctors to do the same.

Its editors said it had taken the decision to enter the debate as they believe it is an issue that ‘transcends politics’ and has ‘huge ramifications for health and society’.

After a series of articles published in the journal examining the possible effects of Brexit, the BMJ said that ‘it has become increasingly obvious that the arguments for remaining in the EU are overwhelming, and that now is not the time for
balance’.

The editors claimed that they could not name any prominent national medical, research or health organisations that sides with a vote to leave and also refuted the argument that the NHS will be swamped by migrants if the UK stays in the EU.

The editors posited that the majority of immigrants tended to be young, and so made less use of health services, and that the greatest contribution to the rising demand was from the challenge of managing ‘complex long term conditions’.

The BMJ also warned that an end to free movement of people across Europe could have ‘serious consequences’ for the health service, as immigrants in the NHS are ‘far more likely to be caring for you than ahead of you in the queue’.