The Royal College of Physicians has written to the prime minister warning him they still have "significant concerns" about healthcare after a no-deal Brexit.

In the letter, doctors say they are worried about "shortages of medical supplies" and say the problem is compounded by Brexit being scheduled just as flu and winter season begins.

The doctors call on the government to put "the nation's health at the heart of Brexit negotiations" by inviting the health secretary to join the "EU exit strategy" committee.

The letter continues: "Delays at our borders could exacerbate current supply issues and create the very real possibility that life-saving medication and devices are delayed from making it into the UK."

And they said any exit strategy "must include provision for different flu scenarios".


The letter was also signed by the heads of the Royal Colleges of GPs, obstetricians, gynaecologists, pathologists, radiologists, surgeons, midwives, anaesthetists, pharmacists, nurses and dentists, as well as surgeons in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

They said: "The implications of a no-deal exit from the EU for the NHS and wider health and care system must be considered at the highest levels of your government's decision making."

And they added: "If not properly planned for, even the smallest of problems could have huge consequences for the lives and well-being of millions of people and our economy.

"The public rightly expects candour from us, and we are simply unable to reassure patients that their health and care won't be negatively impacted by the UK's exit from the EU."

The group said it wanted the prime minister to "put patient safety and protecting the nation's health at the heart of Brexit negotiations by inviting the secretary of state for health and social care to join the 'EU exit strategy' committee".

The Department of Health said in response to the letter: "The government is doing everything appropriate to prepare to leave the EU on the 31st October, whatever the circumstance.

"The Department of Health and Social Care has been working closely with partners across the health and care system and industry on robust preparations.

"Patients can be reassured that our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and medical products remains uninterrupted and they will continue to receive the excellent standard of care they currently do."

PM: Onus of producing backstop solutions 'on us'

The letter comes as Boris Johnson met with German leader Angela Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday.

Ms Merkel suggested that an alternative to the Irish border backstop issue could "maybe" be found in the next 30 days.

But she also made it clear that it was up to the UK to come up with solutions.

Mr Johnson has insisted the EU needs to drop the backstop in order for a deal to be reached.