NHS risks losing highly-skilled workers amid Brexit uncertainty

Scotland’s health secretary has warned of the risk of losing skilled workers amid post-Brexit uncertainty

Shona Robison issued the warning as she paid tribute to the work of European Union nationals who work as nurses, midwives doctors and dentists in Scotland.

Speaking ahead of debate in the Scottish parliament on 8 November, Ms Robison said uncertainty about future citizenship status following the UK’s decision to leave the EU was making it difficult to recruit nurses and doctors. 

She said: ‘Medical professionals from all over the world have played a vital and valued part in our NHS for decades.

‘The fact that the UK government can’t give simple assurances that they will be welcome to stay in this country if we leave the EU is, frankly, unacceptable.’

Valued part of the workforce

Ms Robison told nurses the following day at the Scotland’s chief nursing officer summit in Edinburgh: ‘You will have EU citizens working for you – they are a much valued part of our workforce.

‘Please made sure the know that they are welcome here and that the Scottish Government is working to see their rights and place in our nation protected.’

During the debate on the value of the EU workforce, Ms Robison outlined a number of other areas that need protecting, including health and social care workers’ rights.