Scarborough health services group aiming to be 'as ready as it can be' for Brexit

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which is responsible for buying health services at Scarborough Hospital and also runs GP surgeries in the area, said it was continuing to make preparations for what may happen.

In October, the British government asked the EU to delay Brexit until 31 January 2020, which is the new deadline for a deal to be struck.

A report which went before the CCG’s governing body meeting yesterday (Wednesday) added: ” If ratification has not happened by 31 January 2020 the legal default is the UK will leave the EU without a deal.

“The new EU Exit date may pose challenges given the festive holiday, winter pressures and staffing capacity however we will continue to review our plans and work through any outstanding issues to ensure we are as ready as we can be however the UK leaves the EU.

“The key message is that we do not stand down too much too soon. If the withdrawal agreement stands then there will be a transition period of 14 months to deal with any likely changes.”

The report added that “no current risks” had been identified across North Yorkshire are the county’s CCGs were in regular contact.

The report concluded: “We will continue to work to ensure that EU Exit and its implications on health and care services are discussed on a regular basis to ensure sufficient oversight.”

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that the county’s three CCGs, NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG, NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG and NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG would merge on 1 April 2020 to create the NHS North Yorkshire CCG.