I’m voting out to save my beloved NHs

This week, i did something that will shock many of my friends: after endless researching and reading, i decided to vote for us to leave the EU.

i enjoy Europe and all its rich, diverse traditions and history. But, for me, the decision is based on the best interests of my patients.

i believe that the Nhs is one of our nation’s greatest achievements. All the evidence shows it is the fairest, cheapest and most effective way of delivering healthcare in the world.

But i want us to quit the EU because i have serious concerns for the future of the Nhs — and the Welfare state — if we stay in.

sarah Wollaston, the doctor-turned-MP who recently defected from the Leave campaign, argues that the Nhs is reliant on a strong economy. i understand those concerns, but don’t believe that our economy will tank in the way we are being warned.

Besides, the Nhs was started after the end of the last war, when the country was economically on its knees, so i’m sure it can withstand a few wobbles while the financial markets settle down.

There are two main reasons for my support of Brexit.

First, the money we contribute to the EU could be redirected to help sort out the financial difficulties faced by the Nhs.

SECOND, far from what the ‘ Remain’ campaign would have us believe, the evidence is that the Nhs suffers from the EU’s open borders policy in a way that does not affect other member states.

British authorities are allowed to recoup costs for treating other EU nationals on the Nhs — just as our government pays for UK citizens who are treated by other nations’ health services.

however, the truth is that we are owed far more than we receive.

in the year 2014-15, this shortfall was approximately £600million. it means we pay almost £14 for the healthcare cost of Britons who are treated abroad for every £1 we get back from EU nationals treated on the Nhs. so, as is the case in many other areas, while Britain diligently plays by the EU rules, our fellow members circumvent them.

The brutal truth is that a health care system such as ours — funded through central taxation and which serves countless thousands of people who do not contribute — is doomed.

No one denies that such levels of immigration place an immense strain on the Nhs. For example, research shows that immigrants are more likely to have more children than UK nationals, and thus require extra maternity services.

indeed, figures released last year revealed the repercussions of overburdened maternity wards.

As a result of rising birthrates caused by record levels of immigra- tion — as well as complications from more older and obese women giving birth — statistics, uncovered using Freedom of information laws, show that 45 of 93 Nhs maternity units closed their doors at least once last year. Women were turned away on at least 575 occasions, compared with 461 times in 2014.

Meanwhile, we have Remain campaigners arguing that we benefit from EU membership as the other 27 member states provide us with doctors and nurses.

Yes, the Nhs is heavily reliant on staff from overseas plugging gaps in the workforce. Last year alone, the Nhs recruited 3,000 doctors from abroad. indeed, we are more dependent on foreign doctors than any other major EU nation. But the fact is the majority of doctors working here who qualified overseas are not from the EU. They constitute only 10 per cent of the Nhs medical workforce — whereas those from elsewhere (such as india) make up 25 per cent.

This is despite changes to immigration rules in 2010, which have made it significantly more difficult for doctors from outside Europe to work here.

Moreover, i am deeply concerned about the long-term future of the Nhs as a result of the increasing pressure it has come under. The public’s growing perception is that it is unable to service its health needs. if this continues, people will resent its failure and be disinclined to pay for it.

if that happens, it would start to crumble further. And, of course, this will disproportionately affect the poor and disenfranchised who have no hope of paying for private healthcare. Ultimately, we are facing a battle between two diametrically opposed interest groups.

on one side are a metropolitan, educated and articulate group who tend to benefit from migration (being able to hire cheap builders and cleaners) and who are not wholly reliant on state services.

on the other side are a largely poor, less educated group. They have no choice but to deal with the reduction in choice of school places for their children and to wait days to get an appointment with their GP, while their jobs are at risk from those who are happy to do their work for less wages.

This second group are my patients and every day i witness how they are struggling.

That is why i’m voting Leave: in a nutshell, to safeguard the future of the Nhs.