A new report has revealed the NHS could be short of more than 50,000 nurses by the end of the transition period.

The report, commissioned by The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) and a coalition of 36 health and social care organisations, highlights the rapidly increasing crucial role of EEA nationals play in the UK social care services.

‘Brexit and the Health and Social Care Workforce in the UK’ predicted a potential shortfall of 5-10,000 nurses in the NHS in England by 2012.

Danny Mortimer, co-convenor of the coalition and chief executive of NHS Employers, said: “These startling figures should be taken extremely seriously by those negotiating our departure from the EU.

“The health and social care sector is deeply reliant on talented colleagues from across Europe and the rest of the world so it is deeply disheartening to see these projected workforce gaps at a time of rising demand for services.”

It was revealed that in the UK, only 5% of the regulated nursing profession, 16% of dentists, 5% of allied health professionals were from inside the EEA.

“We know we need to do more ourselves to strengthen staff retention and reduce turnover, but we are also reliant on decision-makers to ensure the UK remains an attractive prospect for our valued and talented colleagues from the EU and the rest of the world.

“The health and social care sector desperately wants to retain the EU nationals working in our services now and need the welcome process for registering for settled status to be honoured if no deal is agreed with the EU27,” said Mr Mortimer.

The report can be read in full here.