NHS staffing shortages and the Brexit effect

Abstract

One of the most significant post-Brexit challenges is the one raised by the ability of the British National Health Service (NHS) to retain qualified health care staff. The NHS relies quite heavily on foreign workers to make up for the shortfall. This article demonstrates why the NHS is currently suffering from a staffing crisis and underlines how the UK withdrawal from the EU could accentuate the problem. It then considers the potential impact of Brexit on EU citizens in the NHS, but also explains why this loss is so difficult to calculate and attribute to the Brexit effect. Finally, it will consider the policies which have been put in place by the government to attempt to reduce the severe losses of EU staff and address staff shortages in the NHS.