Charities back private member’s bill on Brexit impact on health and social care

Health and social care charities from Scotland are among those calling for an independent evaluation of the impact of Brexit on the sector.

Third sector umbrella bodies the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations are among 101 organisations across the UK lobbying MPs to back a private member’s bill by SNP MP Brendan O’Hara this week, ahead of the bill’s second reading on 22 March.

Argyll and Bute MP O’Hara presented the bill in November, and is due to hold a drop-in session on Tuesday at Westminster for MPs and peers.

Under the proposal an independent review of the impact of Brexit on health and social care would be led by someone approved by the devolved administrations.

O’Hara said the bill has already garnered cross-party support.

“After all this time, we still don’t know what direction Brexit will take but we do know the potential impact on the health and social care sectors. 

“It is absolutely essential we have an independent assessment of the impact of Brexit on this vital sector. 

“This has support right across the political spectrum, we can all see the potential consequences. We need to make sure a mechanism exists to monitor it - and both manage and mitigate it - to prevent those most in need, feeling the harshest effects of a hard Brexit, no deal or otherwise.”

Professor Ian Welsh OBE, chief executive of the ALLIANCE, said: “The combined impact of concerns about the impact of Brexit on health and social care has created an urgent need to evaluate the future and consider how we mitigate any unintended consequences.”