While many companies have committed to continuing business in the UK, the decision has left many uncertain as to the implications of continuing business in the country and how jobs may be affected.
According to Ben Lawrence from Your World Healthcare, the recruitment industry is still one of the main areas facing an uncertain future post-Brexit.
“Healthcare recruitment in particular is under constant scrutiny, and concerns over the employment of European healthcare professionals after Article 50 is invoked is definitely prevalent,” he told us.
Lawrence explained that there has already been anecdotal evidence to suggest that EU healthcare professionals are reconsidering their options about working in the UK, "which is a great loss and of serious concern," he said.
“Tapping into the European healthcare talent pool could prove more difficult, but there will be a prolonged period of negation before changes are made,” he added.
The continued 'war on talent'
However, this so-called “war on talent” isn’t a new challenge facing the industry, but is one that may simply be faced with new hurdles post-Brexit. As we previously reported, staff turnover rate in the contract clinical research sector has been increasing over the past few years.
Quintiles’ CEO Thomas Pike also previously told us of the firms’ struggle to attract and retain clinical research associates (CRAs) and people with certain other skill sets. Icon’s CEO has echoed these issues.
Moving forward in the post-Brexit industry, it remains to be seen how these issues will be affected, but regardless, Lawrence proposes that the “prime focus” should be on “preparing for the future instead of waiting for the inevitable struggle with healthcare staffing.”
“Time should be put into preparing those actively in their job search with the training to better them in the sector,” he added.
Lawrence also proposed that in order for healthcare recruitment to flourish post-Brexit, the UK Government should consider increasing visa quotations from countries such as Australia “to extend the talent reach further.”
He added, “Reviewing existing restrictions, such as the limiting of healthcare professionals from South Africa, can allow for more skilled workers to live and work in Britain again.”