In a paper in the Lancet titled ‘ How will Brexit affect health and health services in the uk?’ Brexit poses a threat. It is wide-ranging and substantial. The effects range from negative to very negative with few opportunities. 

All 3 scenarios of soft, hard and failed Brexit are deemed to pose substantial threat to the health service but the effects depend on the type of Brexit pursued. A soft Brexit would minimise health threats and a failed Brexit would be the riskiest outcome.

 

Impacts: 

 

·      The workforce- the NHS is heavily reliant on EU staff. 

 

·      Financing of health care for UK citizens in the EU and vice versa is threatened, as is access to some capital funds. wider economic impacts that impact on the state’s ability to fund the NHS. 

 

·      Access to pharmaceuticals, technology, blood, and organs for transplant is jeopardised.

 

·      Information used for international comparisons is threatened, as is service delivery, especially in Northern Ireland. 

 

A few potential opportunities for improvement in areas such as competition law and flexibility of training were found should the UK Government take them. According to the paper Brexit will reshape all components of the health service. 

 

 

 Table of impacts of 3 types of Brexit on healthcare in the UK

October 1st, 2018

Editors Medicine, Pediatrics

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Abbott won the European CE Mark for its FreeStyle Libre 2 continuous glucose monitor that features low and high glucose level alarms, letting patients know in real-time that they’re falling outside of their normal range.

The system doesn’t require regular and painful finger pricks, instead relying on an upper arm sensor that regularly measures glucose within the interstitial fluid using a tiny built-in needle. The sensor shares its readings with a paired device that looks like a smartphone, which the patient uses to keep a history of readings, set alarms, and manage all kinds of related data. Though this device is important, the sensor will still work on its own and will vibrate or make sounds (depending on the user’s preference) when it’s readings sugar levels outside the norm.

“Enabling patients to have optional alarms with the FreeStyle Libre 2 system provides them with even more freedom in managing their condition,” said Jens Kröger, M.D., specialist of Internal Medicine and Diabetology at the Center of Diabetology Bergedorf in Hamburg, Germany, and chairman of diabetesDE. “For some patients who are unaware of the hypoglycemia episodes they may be experiencing — especially during sleep — having alarms can be important. Or, for the parents of children with diabetes, alarms can provide peace of mind.”

Here’s a short promo video from Abbott for the FreeStyle Libre 2:

The Five Year Forward View outlines the current and future challenges facing the NHS and details a shared view of what needs to change to overcome them by 2019. 

Although there is widespread support for the Five Year Forward View from government and senior healthcare leaders, we know that staff below board level are not as aware of the 5YFV and its impact. If the NHS is to reach its full potential then we need to make sure that all staff throughout the NHS fully understand and support its vision. 

One year on from its launch, we summarise what the 5YFV is about, what's been done so far, and provide a presentation and infographic to help you communicate the 5YFV and outline the part your organisation and its staff need to play to ensure its success.