Press Release from Brendan O’Hara MP – Private Members Bill on Brexit Impact on Health and Social Care

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Scrutiny of Brexit Impact on Health and Social Care focus of Local MP’s Private Members Bill

Local MP Brendan O’Hara has today introduced his Private Members Bill at the UK Parliament calling for an independent evaluation of the impact of Brexit on health and social care sectors.

The bill was presented with significant cross-party support and the backing of more than 38 third sector organisations.

Concern for the impact on Brexit and the health and social care sector was raised during the passage of the European Union Withdrawal Act, a new clause tabled by the SNP seeking a similar evaluation. This clause was only narrowly defeated.

Commenting, Brendan O’Hara said:

“It is essential that our health and social care sectors, vital to millions of people across the UK is protected from whatever the outcome of Brexit may be. We cannot take a chance with our healthcare or the care of our most vulnerable in society”

“This proposal was only narrowly defeated at a time when it was only just becoming apparent what the impacts of Brexit could be. A year on and we’re all far wiser”

“We have seen stockpiling of medicines, concerns for the future of shared research, massive decreases in EU citizens choosing to live and work here and fears that the NHS could be sold from under our feet on a frenzied attempt to secure some form of free-trade deal with whichever state shouts the loudest.”

“Our health and our social care sectors cannot be political-fodder for this obscene act of Brexit-folly.”

Support for the bill has attracted wide spread support across civic society; Camphill Scotland, the ALLIANCE, SCVO, Inclusion Scotland, Scottish Care are just some of the organisations throwing their support behind this Bill.

The Bill, having support of members from the Greens, Plaid Cymru, Liberals and Labour will call on the UK government to consult with Scottish and Welsh Ministers, the relevant Northern Ireland department, service providers, those using social and health care services and many others to ensure that their strategic planning and decisions made by government, local councils, charities, unions and other key agencies are fully informed and shaped by robust evidence.

Brendan O’Hara added:

“The consequences of Brexit and the implications for health and social care will be enormous in so many different ways, none more so than on our much valued but already stretched health and social care network.

“I am determined to ensure that those making the decisions affecting these vital services do so in the full knowledge of what we are facing. We have to get this right. If we don’t the consequences will be serious and felt for many, many years to come.”

The Bill is scheduled for its second reading on 25th January 2019.

– Ends –

Briefing:

https://www.camphillscotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Briefing-paper-13-November-2018-2.pdf

Parliamentary Supporters:

Brendan O’Hara              Argyll and Bute                        SNP (lead)
Neil Gray                            Airdrie & Shotts                        SNP
Stephen Gethins           North East Fife                           SNP
Joanna Cherry             Edinburgh South West             SNP
Martyn Day                   Linlithgow and East Falkirk    SNP
Tommy Shephard       Edinburgh East                              SNP
Caroline Lucas             Brighton Pavillion                        Green
Liz Saville-Roberts    Dwyfor Meirionnydd                 Plaid Cymru
Ben Lake                         Ceredigion                                        Plaid Cymru
Christine Jardine        Edinburgh West                           Liberal
Layla Moran                 Oxford West & Abington         Liberal
Tom Brake                    Carshalton and Wallington       Liberal
Ian Murray                    Edinburgh South                            Labour