The RCP in Wales has responded to the National Assembly for Wales External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee inquiry into the implications for Wales of Britain exiting the European Union.
- The UK and Welsh governments should prioritise action around the implications of Brexit on the health and social care workforce, medical research, public health and NHS finance.
- EU nationals working in the NHS must be able to stay in the UK and continue to deliver excellent care for patients.
- The current workforce crisis facing the NHS must not be exacerbated by restricting non-UK doctors from working in the NHS.
- Migration rules must not adversely impact on the supply of care workers.
- The UK’s withdrawal from the EU must not affect patients’ ability to participate in high quality research and clinical trials. Patients must continue to access innovative new technologies.
- Workforce pressures must not be allowed to have a negative effect on the time available to doctors to conduct clinical research. Restrictions on the mobility of researchers and clinicians may add further pressures.
- The UK must retain access to FP9 funding, in addition to regional development funds, facilities and bursaries.
- The UK must retain the ability to influence European legislation on research.
- Frameworks that underpin health protection must be replaced by equivalent or even stronger safeguards.
- The UK must have continued access to European structures and networks that provide effective surveillance of health threats.