Russells Hall Hospital in warning over no-deal Brexit impact
Operations and appointments could be cancelled at Russells Hall Hospital in the event of a no-deal Brexit, bosses have warned.
Health chiefs are preparing for the prospect of the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal but there are fears it could have a major impact on services.
Bosses said they would have to “consider prioritisation of key services and cancellation of non-critical services” if supply chains were disrupted by a no-deal Brexit.
Crucial services such as emergency care, cancer and outpatients would have to be prioritised, a report on emergency Brexit planning said.
MPs have been promised a vote on ruling out a no-deal exit, if Theresa May’s deal is rejected again in the Commons, but until that happens it remains a possibility.
Councillor Kathy Bayton, head of health at Dudley Council, said the warnings should act as a signal to MPs of the importance of supporting a deal.
She said: “These kind of warnings from the health services should focus MPs’ attention on making sure we don’t have a no-deal Brexit and we do leave with a deal.
“I, as a local politician, don’t want to see any disruption to any health services. It’s absolutely vital we have a deal to leave with.”
The report to board members at the Dudley Group NHS Trust, which runs Russells Hall, said: “In the event of a no deal EU exit adversely affecting supply chains it may be necessary for the trust to consider prioritisation of key services and cancellation of non-critical services to protect those that are critical.
“Services would be expected to be scaled back in line with this priority list ensuring that patient care is first and foremost in the decision-making process.”
