Healthcare leaders letter to the Times on valuing non-UK staff

Miss Clare Marx, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, has written to The Times along with several royal college presidents, reiterating support for non-UK staff working in the NHS. The full letter is as follows:

"Sir,

As healthcare leaders we agree with the strong message that Sir Bruce Keogh, the medical director of NHS England, and others have sent in emphasising how much we value all of our colleagues who have moved from other countries to work in the NHS.

Over the coming months, as the removal of European regulations impacting on healthcare is discussed, we must continue to support and attract vital doctors, nurses, allied healthcare professionals and other support staff from the EU and around the world. Without non-UK nationals, the NHS and social care would not function — especially while we continue to train insufficient numbers of UK graduates.

To our colleagues from Europe and elsewhere: we are hugely grateful for your dedicated service to the patients of the NHS, we urge you to stay and we will continue to value you in a post-Brexit NHS."

Clare Marx
President, Royal College of Surgeons

Liam Brennan
President, Royal College of Anaesthetists

Jane Dacre
President, Royal College of Physicians

Nigel Hunt
Dean, Faculty of Dental Surgeons at the Royal College of Surgeons

Cliff Mann
President, Royal College of Emergency Medicine

Anna Batchelor
Dean, Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine

Notes to editors

The Royal College of Surgeons of England is a professional membership organisation and registered charity, which exists to advance surgical standards and improve patient care.

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