Health and Brexit: six years on

Somewhat further on from the UK’s formal exit from the single market, on 1 January 2021, we now look back to consider the impact of Brexit on health to date in total across these major areas: workforce, medicines, and the economy. We drew on a range of data available publicly and obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, supplemented by targeted interviews and a roundtable for organisations and experts with insight into changes in the NHS workforce. Across these areas, there is significant evidence suggesting that Brexit is now having negative effects. The worst-case scenarios have been ameliorated by agreements with the EU, planning and preparation for medicines disruption, and an easing of migration rules for non-EU staff. However, problems are distributed unevenly, with some medical specialties for example affected disproportionately by migration slowdowns. In most cases these problems seem likely to continue – potentially even being worsened if the exit and trade agreements are disrupted in the coming months. The Health and International Relations Monitor project is supported by the Health Foundation.