Leaving the European Union: NHS and Social Care Workforce

The House of Lords Library produces research briefings which provide politically impartial analysis of legislation and issues debated in the House of Lords, or of topical interest to its Members.

There are two series:

+ Lords Library Notes
+ Lords In Focus This House of Lords Library briefing was prepared in advance of a debate that was scheduled to take place in the House on 24 November 2016 on the implications of Brexit on the NHS and social care workforce.

This briefing provides background information about this issue, including statistics on the numbers of citizens from other EU member states currently working in the NHS and social care. It examines a range of commentary and reaction to the result of the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union and the potential implications for staffing in the NHS and briefly examines the debate and recent developments on the issue of ‘safe’ staffing levels. It also notes the recent UK Government announcement on expanding the number of training places in UK medical schools to make the NHS more ‘self-sufficient’ in medical staff.

EU nationals currently comprise around 5% of both the staff in NHS trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups and of the social care workforce. To date there has been no change to the status of these staff, or their right to remain in the UK. However, a number of health organisations have called for explicit assurances that existing healthcare staff from the European Union will be able to stay in the country in the future, and that the UK health and social care sectors will continue to be able to recruit staff from the EU. The Prime Minister, Theresa May, has stated her desire to “guarantee the position” of both EU migrants in the UK and UK migrants in other EU countries, but said that no issue should be taken off the table prior to the commencement of negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and EU.

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: What next after Brexit? Immigration and integration in post-referendum Britain http://www.europeansources.info/record/what-next-after-brexit-immigration-and-integration-inpost-referendum-britain/

ESO: Background information: How reliant is Britain on EU migrant workers? http://www.europeansources.info/record/how-reliant-is-britain-on-eu-migrant-workers/

Wales: Welsh Government: Press Release 13.07.16, EU health and social care staff make huge contribution and are extremely valued, say Welsh Health Ministers http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-health-and-social-care-staff-make-huge-contribution-and-are-extremely-valued-say-welsh-health-ministers/

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