The shortage of nurses and carers in the UK has worsened considerably as a result of Brexit. Disabled people in particular, who need help with everyday tasks, struggle to find suitable caregivers, writes The Observer on the basis of a report.
“We normally recruit more than 100 nurses per year. Now only half. Since July, the situation has deteriorated dramatically,” says Peter Henry from Origin, an organisation that takes care of people with spinal disorders.
Henry attributes this at the end of the application period for the so-called Settlement Scheme.
The scheme aims to give EU citizens who already lived in the country before Brexit largely the same rights as before. After Brexit, EU workers will no longer be able to work in the UK without a visa. This must be confirmed by an employer.
According to the organisations, many of the carers who work with the disabled come from abroad. In the meantime, they must regularly reject applications, according to Peter Henry. British applicants cannot compensate for the lack of European workers.
Several organisations called on the British Government months ago to introduce more flexible immigration rules for the sector. The government has so far refused to do so.
