Shortage of nurses to hit 60,000 after Brexit IT’S BAD FOR OUR HEALTH
WAVING flags and with EU colours painted on their faces, protestors take to the streets to demonstrate against Brexit.
Thousands joined the People’s March for Europe in Westminster where they heard speeches from prominent Remainers including Lib Dem Ed Davey.
He told the crowd: “Since the Brexit negotiations began there’s a third emotion I’ve been feeling… embarrassment. Embarrassment at our leaders. Embarrassment for Great Britain.”
Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable was also at the demonstration.
Sir Bob Geldof had been due to make a speech but the event overran and he was denied a slot.
Jeremy Corbyn has been urged to sack any frontbenchers who rebel to back the Brexit Repeal Bill in a Commons vote tomorrow.
Lib Dem Tom Brake said if he did not, “Labour’s recent shift towards supporting a softer Brexit will be exposed as a sham”. BREXIT will leave Britain short of 60,000 nurses and midwives, MPs and medical experts warn today.
Government plans for a hard EU split and an immigration crackdown will worsen an NHS staff recruitment crisis already running at record levels, it is feared.
The number of unfilled posts has doubled in just three years to 40,000. And experts predict this will rise by another 20,000 by 2020 as Brexit makes Britain a less attractive place to work.
The figures from the Open Britain campaign follow a leaked Home Office report criticised for advocating a “draconian” immigration cut. Labour MP Heidi Alexander, an Open Britain supporter, warned: “Brexit is in danger of leaving our NHS in intensive care. Hospitals are dependent on EU nurses and midwives.”
John Skewes of the Royal College of Midwives said the number of staff from the EU had “plummeted” as uncertainty over their status drives them away.
Meanwhile a study shows wages have fallen, economic growth is weaker and Britain’s reliance on EU trade has increased since the referendum last year.
The TUC said its research should spark the Government into strengthening the economy in preparation for Brexit. THE UK already has a shortage of nurses and midwives.
A combination of low pay and poor conditions have led to many leaving the profession. And there are 40,000 posts unfilled.
Today we reveal Brexit is to make things worse.
Open Britain has calculated that the shortfall will increase by 20,000 by 2020. For an NHS already stretched to the limit this is a serious blow.
Whichever way Brexit pans out – and there is a long way to go – the NHS must be protected.
Recognising the contribution that EU workers have made to our beloved health service would be a start.