Charities forge ahead with campaign calling for an independent review of the impact of Brexit on health and social care

A campaign calling for an independent review of the impact of Brexit on health and social care is set to continue.

The Assess and Address campaign was created in response to concerns raised by those in the third sector over the implications that Brexit will have for health and social care.

Organisations fear that potential changes in rules, as a result of Brexit, related to the EU workforce, medicines research and funding could affect the provision of support and services to disabled people, people living with long term conditions, children and young people and unpaid carers.

A debate was held in the Houses of Parliament this week, where Members of Parliament heard in detail many of the worries held by the more than 100 organisations who have backed the campaign. Those who have backed the campaign include the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), Camphill Scotland., UNISON, Disability Wales, British Association of Social Workers Northern Ireland and The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA).

Led by Brendan O’Hara MP, SNP member for Argyll and Bute, the debate heard that not a single one of the organisations who have backed the campaign feel that Brexit will be good for the health of the people in Britain.

Mr O’Hara said: “Without exception, every one of the 102 organisations that support the campaign have highlighted the enormous damage that Brexit, particularly the end of freedom of movement would do to their ability to deliver in the health and social care sector.

“With every passing day, a disastrous no-deal situation looms even heavier on the Brexit horizon and we have no answers on the impact to the health and social care sectors. There will be consequences on the sector by the actions of the UK Prime Minister for failing to heed the serious warning of so many organisations.  We owe it to the wider public to press ahead with this campaign.”

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), said: “We would like to thank Brendan O’Hara MP and the other Members of Parliament who attended the debate to hear about the concerns raised by many of our members and other organisations across the UK.

“The fears that many within the health and social care sector have over Brexit are widespread, and despite the Government stating contingency plans are in place this will to do little to reassure the 102 organisations who have backed the campaign.

“We will continue to press for an independent review of the effect Brexit will have on health and social care. From increased costs for cancer patients to fears over drug shortages, it is vital that all of the concerns brought forward by the campaign are independently assessed and addressed.”

During the debate, Minister for Health Stephen Hammond said the Government has contingency plans in place to ensure any challenges presented by Brexit are met.

Neil Henery, Director of Camphill Scotland, said it is disappointing that no independent evaluation will seemingly be brought forward by the Government.

He said: “We are already seeing a significant drop in applications from European volunteers as a result of Brexit uncertainty. This seems like a terrible missed opportunity to start making the situation better.

“We are grateful to Brendan O’Hara MP for his continuing support and confirm we remain committed to work with him and our partners to bring this work to fruition.”

Ian Welsh, Chief Executive, the ALLIANCE, said: “People with long term conditions and unpaid carers have told us their fears about the future of health and social care after any form of Brexit, with some planning for the risk that a no deal Brexit poses. We continue to support the Assess and Address campaign with the aim to ensure an independent evaluation and mitigation of our members concerns.”

The debate was held on the back of Private Member’s Bill that Mr O’Hara has tabled, calling for the independent evaluation.

So far, 102 organisations from across the UK have backed the calls for an independent assessment. The bill has also gained cross-party support from the Liberal Democrats, Labour, the Greens and Plaid Cymru.

The European Union Withdrawal (Evaluation of Effects on Health and Social Care Sectors) Bill was introduced to the chamber at the end of last year, and is due to have its Second Reading on 5 April.

A full transcript of this week’s debate is available here.