Amber Rudd has written to NHS leaders this week to guarantee the rights of EU citizens working in the NHS.
Following last week’s agreement at the European Council for negotiations, the Home Office has formally announced that it guarantees the rights of EU citizens working in the NHS.
In a letter to NHS leaders from Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, the UK Government has clarified that it wants EU nationals to be able to carry on living their lives as before and the agreement will not only enable families who have built their lives in the EU and UK to stay together, it also gives certainty about healthcare, pensions and other benefits.
Ms Rudd goes on to admit that the news will be welcomed by the millions of people in this country who rely on the outstanding care and professional support EU nationals provide.
In a joint statement, Simon Stevens, Chief Executive – NHS England, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh National Medical Director – NHS England and Professor Jane Cummings Chief Nursing Officer for England, said;
The NHS has always benefited from committed, and talented health staff both trained here in Britain and who have chosen to work here from abroad.
EU nationals form an integral and vital part of the health and care family, and your skills and compassionate care directly benefit patients, families and communities.
We are pleased that the Government has ensured that EU citizens living lawfully in the UK will be able to stay and enjoy broadly the same rights and benefits as they do now and welcome the Home Secretary’s letter to the NHS to confirm this.
Your vital contribution to our work together will continue and is greatly appreciated by all those we care for.
These commitments will be locked into a binding and reciprocal agreement with the EU. You can read the agreement here. All EU citizens will need to apply to obtain status in UK law.
Finally, the government has announced a new, transparent, smooth and streamlined process to enable them to apply for settled status will start during the second half of 2018 and remain open for at least two years after the UK leaves the EU.
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