The NHS is stockpiling body bags as preparations for a no-deal Brexit continue to ramp up ahead of March 29, according to a Government official.

Health minister Stephen Hammond wrote a letter to a fellow Tory MP revealing that the NHS had taken the measure in a bid to stop shortages, in case the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal.

The macabre information was revealed to reassure one of the MP’s constituents that the NHS will continue to run as normal in the event of no-deal.

NHS is said to be stockpiling body bags in the event of a no-deal Brexit (picture: getty)

Numerous medical supplies currently being stockpiled, include body bags, medicine, vaccines and blood products, according to the health minister.




He describes the steps taken as ‘essential’ to make sure the Government is fully prepared in case there is a disruption in the supply chain.

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ITV’s Political Editor, Robert Peston, shared images of the minister’s letter on his Twitter account yesterday.

The extract published on social media reads: ‘We know that maintaining continuity of supply of all medical products, including medicines, medical radioisotopes, vaccines, blood products, devices and consumables, after the UK leaves the EU is essential.

‘The Department if working with its partners across Government, in the health sector and in industry to prepare for any possible disruption in the supply chain.

The health minister Stephen Hammond has written to a Tory MP to provide assurance to one of the MP’s constituents that the NHS is stockpiling bodybags as insurance against a no-deal Brexit. This is not a joke. See attached exerts from letter. pic.twitter.com/XlfPVkU8eg — Robert Peston (@Peston) February 11, 2019

‘While this does not mean that we are expecting such disruption, the Government is preparing for all exit scenarios.’

The letter continues: ‘Sensible strategies for devices and consumables including body bags, that come to the UK from or through the EU, such as precautionary stockpiling by suppliers, to ensure that the supply of essential products is not disrupted.’

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told the Mirror: ‘We are taking comprehensive action to ensure the NHS has continued access to products needed to deliver safe, effective care.

Health minister Stephen Hammond revealed the news in a letter to a Tory MP (Picture: Anthony Devlin/PA)

‘If everyone does what they should do, we are confident the supply of medicines and other medical supplies will be uninterrupted in the event of exiting the EU without a deal.’

It comes as Theresa May today urged MPs to ‘hold our nerve’ over Brexit negotiations, with just 45 days to go until the UK is set to leave the EU.

The Prime Minister has promised to update MPs on February 26 in a bid to gain time to secure desired changes to the withdrawal deal.

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