All roads leading to Brexit

 

As we near the 31 October deadline to leave the European Union, with the possibility of a no-deal Brexit looming, health leaders are urging for a government rethink.

 

The Queen has just consented Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s bid to suspend Parliament just days after MPs return to work in September, meaning that MPs are unlikely to have time to pass laws to stop a no-deal Brexit.

 

Meanwhile, health union leaders, including the British Medical Association, Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives, have issued a strong warning to the government that a no-deal Brexit could ‘devastate’ the NHS and cause fatal medicine shortages.

 

This echoes the sentiment of an open letter, coordinated by the Royal College of Physicians, sent to the Prime Minister calling for health to be at heart of Brexit negotiations.

 

The bottom line of both warnings is that no responsible government should take the risk. The clock is ticking…

 

Elsewhere, I encourage you to read Helen Buckingham’s article (page 15), in which she analyses recent funding pledges and what it will take for the NHS to make a success of January’s Long Term Plan.

 

Michael Lyons, editor