Brexit: NHS leaders plead with Boris Johnson to extend transition period

NHS leaders have called on Boris Johnson to extend the Brexit transition period by one month – warning a no-deal outcome would risk the health of patients during the coronavirus crisis.

Delaying the deadline until the end of January 2021 will take the NHS out of the “immediate danger-zone” and enable staff to focus on the alarming rise in Covid-19 infections, they said.

The NHS Confederation – the membership body for hospitals and ambulance trusts – wrote to the prime minister to warn him the extensive disruption caused by a no-deal Brexit next week would push the health service’s ability to function “over the edge”.

Talks aimed at forging a last-minute trade deal are continuing on Wednesday, as EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said there is a “final push” to reach an agreement before the 31 December deadline.

NHS Confederation members in the south east have raised concerns that a no-deal Brexit could see ambulances struggling to reach patients and medics being delayed due to major congestion on the Kent roads.

The letter sent to No 10 states: “With Operation Stack implemented with borders closed to the continent and rampant Covid-19 infections meaning the region has already breached the safe level of hospital bed occupancy, the south east will face disruption even if a [Brexit trade] deal is reached.

It adds: “Should a [Brexit trade] deal not be reached, the magnitude and extent of disruption will be of a much greater order.”

The letter also warns Mr Johnson that “your government should be under no illusion that the NHS will be harmed by the potential failure to agree a negotiated deal”.

The health leaders said the NHS faces would face significant adjustments in a short timespan in the event of a no-deal outcome, since a huge raft of new rules, guidance and measures will be introduced from 1 January.

All this is happening as the vaccine rollout has begun while the workforce is tired and depleted, they said. The letter adds: “The NHS might not be perceived to be on the Brexit negotiating table, but the disruption shockwaves from a no-deal outcome could push the NHS’ ability to function over the edge.

“Given we are days away from the cliff edge, we urge you to extend the transition period by a month, buying the NHS a precious few extra weeks and enabling the UK to leave the EU after a one-year transition period.”

On Sunday the rate of recorded positive cases in the UK doubled over a week and the number of non-Covid patients waiting more than a year for treatment now stands at 160,000, according to the NHS Confederation.

The body’s chief executive Danny Mortimer said Mr Johnson had made the “right” decision at the weekend to bring in tighter restrictions. “The virus has found another gear and will leave the NHS in its wake, so we support the actions the government has taken to protect the NHS. But a similarly tough stance is needed in the event of a no-deal outcome,” he said.

A government spokesman said the healthcare system would “thrive” after the transition period and negotiators continued to explore “every route” to a deal.

He added: “We have worked closely with the health and care system, suppliers, industry and the devolved administrations to put in place robust measures to ensure the continued supply of medicines and medical products so everyone can receive the highest quality care.”