London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Oct 01, 2026

Brexit uncertainty raises NHS concerns

Public Health Wales says there could be disruption to medical supplies and price hikes on food.

Disruption from Brexit could have an adverse effect on people's health and welfare, especially for vulnerable groups, a report has said.

Public Health Wales is concerned about the "likely disruption" to medical supplies and the impact of any price hikes on things like food.

It adds to concerns from January over possible problems recruiting workers.

On Thursday, Number 10 said the prime minster and his Irish counterpart could see a "pathway to a possible deal".

Talks with Boris Johnson were "very positive", according to the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Mr Johnson has said he wants to agree a deal, but will take the UK out of the EU "do or die" on 31 October.

A negative impact of Brexit on food supply, food standards and environmental regulation - including air quality and bathing water - has increased from possible to probable, according to the report.

However, it does suggest there would be dividends, such as lower house prices and a weak pound boosting exports.

NHS Wales is already stockpiling supplies for care homes and hospitals in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The Public Health Wales document examines the potential effects of Brexit on the short, medium and long-term health and well-being of people living in Wales.

Regarding health workers, it said: "Ongoing uncertainty around immigration rules and rights of migrants living and working in the UK is likely to affect recruitment and retention in Wales."

Johnson and Varadkar 'can see pathway to a deal'


Law to replace EU farm subsidies delayed


Care homes part of no-deal Brexit warehouse plan


In Wales, it is estimated at least 1,462 EU nationals are directly employed by the NHS - 1.6% of the workforce.

Another 6.4% of staff in registered social care settings in Wales are EU nationals - estimated at about 2,900 workers, mostly in residential care.


Analysis by Cemlyn Davies, BBC Wales political correspondent


This report paints a worrying picture of what Brexit could mean for Wales.

It says the potential negative impacts significantly outweigh the positives and the likelihood of certain problems happening has increased since PHW's last report on the matter.

But that's because the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit has increased since then too, with Boris Johnson insisting the UK will leave the EU at the end of October "do or die".

Many of the fears expressed in the report around the availability of food and medicines may be dismissed by Brexit-supporters as scare-mongering or short-term inconveniences.

But it should be noted this report also points to possible - if limited - Brexit dividends.

And despite Mr Johnson's pledge to leave on the 31st, he's required by a law to seek a Brexit extension to avert no-deal if an agreement hasn't been approved by next weekend.

On access to medication, it said there was "evidence to support the likely disruption to supply chains of medicines and medical devices, in the case of a no-deal exit, which has become increasingly likely".

The report also said there was also some evidence people's mental health was being affected by Brexit, especially those in farming communities which can be reliant on subsidies.

"The scale of uncertainty facing farming communities, some of which is directly linked to Brexit, has been identified as increasing anxiety and impacting on the mental well-being of this population group," said the report.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Southwest England Faces Flood Alerts After Heavy Autumn Storms
UK Expands Funding for Rapid Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Welsh Government Approves Funding to Upgrade South Wales Transport
Northern Ireland Tensions Rise as Orange Order Rejects Drumcree Compromise
NHS Leaders Back Early Design of Proposed National Care Service
More Than One-Third of Regional UK Universities Face Financial Deficits
UK Current Account Deficit Narrows as Cross-Border Financial Flows Remain Strong
Bank of England and FCA Issue New Rules for Stablecoins and Digital Assets
MI5 Warns UK Universities Over Research Links With Chinese Institutions
UK Energy Price Cap Rises 4% as Electricity VAT Is Temporarily Suspended
Equity Calls for UK Personality Rights to Protect Performers From AI Replication
OpenAI Pauses Advanced Model Training Following Safety Concerns
Scottish Government Proposes Replacing 32 Councils With Larger Regional Authorities
Ofgem Raises UK Household Energy Price Cap by 4% From October
UK Counter-Terrorism Police Continue Investigation After Five Arrests Near RAF Fairford
OECD Cuts UK 2027 Growth Forecast to 1%
Labour Says State Pension Triple Lock Remains Protected Through Current Parliament
Andy Burnham Pledges National Care Service With Free Social Care in England
Six Flags Permanently Shuts Landmark X2 Roller Coaster Following Safety Scandals
Metropolitan Police Rule Out Terrorism in Golders Green Stabbing Investigation
Lithium-Ion Battery Identified as Cause of Fatal Merseyside House Fire
UK Department Rejects New Sea Use Framework Due to Stakeholder Fatigue
Major Thames Water Pipe Burst Causes School Closures in London
Aldi Commits £900 Million to Expand UK Supermarket Network
Scottish Affairs Committee Warns Skills Shortages Threaten Defence Sector Expansion
Parliamentary Committee Warns Northern Ireland Budget Deadlock is Stalling Economic Growth
NHS Hospitals in England Face Severe Shortages of Essential Medications
Home Secretary Signals Major Overhaul of UK Immigration and Leave to Remain Policies
Chancellor Promises New Job Schemes Alongside Strict Fiscal Discipline
Energy Secretary Proposes Taxpayer-Funded Green Transition and National Electricity Grid
UK Government to Renationalise Avanti West Coast Railway Franchise in March
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges Major Social Care and Infrastructure Reforms
Five Suspects Released on Bail Following Alleged Bomb Plot Near RAF Fairford
UK Diesel Prices Hit Record High of 199p Per Litre
Transport for Wales and Network Rail Complete Electrification of South Wales Metro
Defra Expands Incentives for Sustainable Farming and Biodiversity in England
Northern Ireland Executive Approves Funding Package to Resolve Public Sector Pay Disputes
Universities UK Warns of Financial Insolvency Risks for Higher Education Institutions
UK Prisons Activate Emergency Protocols to Manage Capacity Pressures
UK Government Establishes New Safety Standards for Frontier AI Models
Home Office Tightens Skilled Worker Visa Requirements and Dependent Rules
Ministry of Defence Restructures Royal Navy Frigate Procurement to Prevent Overruns
UK Government Mandates New Housing Targets to Address National Shortage
UK and Scottish Governments Reach Agreement on North Sea Energy Transition
NHS Launches Digital Overhaul to Reduce Surgical Backlogs in England
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates as Service Sector Inflation Persists
UK Chancellor Announces Fiscal Consolidation Measures to Stabilize National Debt
RNLI Chief Executive Condemns Misinformation and Abuse Targeting Volunteer Crews
Metropolitan Police Charge Swindon Man with Assisting Foreign Intelligence Services
British Intelligence Report Warns Environmental Collapse Threatens Global Defense Infrastructure
×