Sir, – The presidents of the Royal Medical Colleges of Physicians in Ireland, England and Scotland met in Belfast to discuss closer collaboration as Brexit nears.
Our discussions highlighted the huge potential impact that Brexit could have on patient care in Northern Ireland and Ireland where service design and delivery transcend the Border.
It is essential that safe, high-quality patient care remains the top priority and that nothing hinders the flow of staff, patients and the medicines they require in any post-Brexit arrangements.
We therefore call on all those engaged with the Brexit process in Ireland and Northern Ireland to work to ensure that the interests of patients are foremost in their thoughts over the coming days and weeks. – Yours, etc,
Prof MARY HORGAN,
President of the Royal
College of Physicians
of Ireland;
Prof DEREK BELL OBE,
President of the Royal
College of Physicians
of Edinburgh;
Prof JACKIE TAYLOR,
President of the Royal
College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Glasgow;
Prof ANDREW GODDARD,
President,
Royal College
of Physicians of London.