EU exit update

As you will be aware, the transition period of the UK exiting the EU ends on 31 December 2020. The NHS will be using a single operational response model, as it has for dealing with COVID-19, for the end of the EU transition period to minimise conflict or burden on the system.

NHS West Essex CCG has considered and mitigated against the possible risks for our colleagues, services and the people we care for in the event of a no deal EU exit. We are in contact with our providers to receive assurance from them that supplies of goods and medicines will not be affected at the end of the transition period.

We have been represented at a series of regional and national EU exit workshops and continue to work extremely closely with, and give regular assurance to, colleagues in NHS England and Improvement, the Department of Health and Social Care and the Essex Resilience Forum.

Our planning and contingency arrangements across the CCG include considerations such as:

• operational readiness
• workforce
• continuity of supplies
• data sharing
• communication
• finance.

We have also considered the potential for traffic congestion, particularly across Essex, and any disruption to fuel supplies.

Please offer reassurance if you are in direct contact with patients and remind them about the Government’s advice not to stockpile.

If you have any questions, contact Grainne Stephenson.