Diane Abbott: Guarantee NHS workers from EU countries the right to remain in UK

Diane Abbott with Homerton University Hospital chief nurse, Director of Governance, Head of Midwifery, Director, and the head of A&E

Diane Abbott with Homerton University Hospital chief nurse, Director of Governance, Head of Midwifery, Director, and the head of A&E

Diane Abbott, the new shadow secretary of state for health, today called on the government to give NHS workers from EU countries a guarantee that they will be able to stay in the UK.

Speaking to nurses and A&E staff at Homerton University Hospital, the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington said that EU workers’  “invaluable contribution” to the NHS and social care should be recognised.

“They cannot be part of a negotiation, and the government has to say that they are safe and won’t be kicked out the country,” she said.

She also warned that the rise in race hate crime and xenophobia since the vote to leave the European Union was an “affront to our National Health Service”.

She said: “As the daughter of Jamaican nurse, I know the contribution that immigrants from the EU and across the world have made to the NHS. We must continue to highlight the sacrifices they make to keep our NHS running.”

The official visit, which marked the 68th anniversary of the NHS, was Ms Abbott’s first as health secretary.