European citizens working in health and social care in Scotland have received letters assuring them that, regardless of the outcome of EU exit negotiations, any professional qualifications and registrations they hold will continue to be valid.

Within the letters, the Scottish Government and COSLA state they are committed to supporting staff to continue living and working in Scotland, and encourage individuals to apply to the EU citizen settlement scheme for the UK immigrations status they need to continue to stay here.

A joint letter from Cabinet Secretary for Health & Sport, Jeane Freeman, and COSLA’s interim Health & Social Care spokesperson, Councillor Stuart Currie, has been sent to all EU citizens working in social care in Scotland.

Addressing staff, who were first contacted directly in December, the letter states:

‘We had hoped then that, by this point, we would have had more clarity. Unfortunately, it is still the case that the UK Parliament has not agreed a deal or a clear way forward. As a result, our future remains uncertain…

‘The top priority of both the Scottish Government and COSLA continues to be to ensure that your rights are protected.’

Ms Freeman has also written separately to NHS staff, stating:

‘I want to reassure you that we have been working very closely with NHS Scotland Boards and health and care partners over the past months to do all we can to make sure that the sectors are as prepared as they can be for the various scenarios we might face over the coming days, weeks and months.

‘This includes doing what we can to ensure continuity of supplies, including of medicines, medical devices, clinical consumables, and non-clinical goods.’

Addressing the ‘significant concerns’ staff have had about their continued registration status or continued recognition of qualifications, both letters outline the UK Government has now confirmed any professional qualifications and registrations held by EU citizens will continue to be valid even if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal.

‘The professional status of all non-UK healthcare professionals currently working with full registration in the UK is permanently protected’, while social care staff ‘will not need to do anything, and will remain on the register for as long as you continue to meet all the normal requirements of continued registration.’