Preparing for the UK’s exit from the European Union

Date: 27 March 2019

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Preparing for the UK’s exit from the European Union 

A great deal of preparation, planning and testing has already been carried out to make sure that health and care services continue to run smoothly after our exit from the EU.

As part of that, all NHS organisations, Kent County Council and Medway Council are working together with NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, other government departments, as well as our partners and suppliers to make sure we can continue to provide high quality care.

We’re good at planning for different scenarios and all organisations have arrangements in place to deal with events that could disrupt services.

Every organisation, including ours, has been through an assessment to look at how prepared they are and to identify any issues which could potentially cause disruption. The government has been working hard to make sure patients can continue to receive the medication they need after the UK leaves the EU.

You can find more details about the government’s preparations for medicine supply here, questions and answers for common questions about medicines supplies here, and information about how you can continue to receive your medicines here.

Analysis by the Kent Resilience Forum suggests that in Kent we may have the added challenge of potential delays on our roads, as it may take longer for freight and tourist traffic leaving the UK to get through cross-channel border controls. As part of our comprehensive preparations for our exit from the EU the local NHS, alongside many organisations across Kent, has prepared for the impact on staff and patients of any traffic disruption.

You can find out more about how Kent and Medway has prepared for potential traffic pressures through the links below.

What you can do to prepare for the EU Exit in Kent and Medway:

  • Make sure that your contact details, including mobile numbers and email addresses if you have them, are up to date with the services that care for you so they can get in touch if they need to.
  • You will continue to receive the medication and medical supplies that you need for your care and do not need to make any extra arrangements. Speak to the doctor or nurse caring for you if you have any concerns.
  • If you need to travel to an appointment and the roads are busy, keep up to date with the local situation by checking the Traffic England website, traffic bulletins on local radio and the #BrexitKent hashtag on social media.
  • Make sure that you are using the service that is right for your needs. Visit nhs.uk to check out symptoms and www.nhs.uk or kent.healthhelpnow.nhs.uk for advice and details of services. If you are concerned you need urgent medical help, phone NHS111.
  • If you use social media, keeping up to date on NHS services in Kent and Medway by following the hashtag #HelpUsHelpYouK&M

Helpful links

  • Summary:

    A great deal of preparation, planning and testing has already been carried out to make sure that health and care services continue to run smoothly after our exit from the EU.