Hospital claims ops may be cut in ‘no deal’
HEALTH bosses in Sandwell and Birmingham are warning services and operations may be reduced if Britain exits the EU without a deal on March 29.
A report to Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust says the greatest risk to patients is the lack of drugs and equipment imported from the continent.
The warning comes in a series of scenarios drawn up to prepare the trust’s City and Sandwell General hospitals and its Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre for leaving the EU.
They include the possibilities of delays due to holdups at ports, the loss of skilled staff returning to Europe and British citizens returning home for medical treatment.
In a report to board members, Toby Lewis, chief executive of the trust, states the biggest risk to the patients is supply of medicines and equipment, noting central government has forbidden hospitals to locally stockpile.
He warns if the trust is not assured of supplies by the end of February: “We need to examine what work will need to be discontinued both after March 29 and potentially before, unless security of supply can be assured for individual treatment courses for specific items.”
He adds a study of locally supplied drugs has high- lighted concerns treatment.
“On March 4, for other purposes, major regional eye hospitals are meeting together, hosted by the trust at Sandwell,” he said. “We will explore with partners in that forum how we are all collaborating to ensure best continuity of supply.”
The report says the possibility of losing skilled staff is less than feared and shows a low level of exposure to disruption.
The warning comes as the government seeks to renegotiate parts of the Brexit deal rejected by MPs in the House of Commons.
Members of the trust’s board will discuss the report this Thursday (February 7).
over
eye