Responding to the BMA survey of EEA (European Economic Area) doctors working across the UK, which has found that more than four in ten are considering leaving the UK following the EU referendum result, Professor Derek Bell, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said:
“This survey provides a snap shot of current opinion and adds to concerns at a time when the NHS faces significant recruitment and retention challenges and morale in many areas is suffering.
“Doctors from countries across the EEA – and around the world – play a vital and significant role in our NHS and in the delivery of safe patient care, and we must find ways to allay their concerns.
"We must ensure that the UK remains an attractive place to work and train despite the uncertainty regarding the future impact of Brexit on health care in the UK.
“This College is committed to ensuring that excellent standards of patient care, medical training and academic research are maintained as the implications of Brexit unfold”.
END
Contact: Sara Collier s.collier@rcpe.ac.uk 0131 247 3658
Note to editors:
1. The BMA News release on the survey can be found here
