Health and care secretary Matt Hancock has reassured staff with EU nationalities and employers of these staff that their rights to work in the UK are safe, even if the UK leaves without a deal.

In a letter, he states that there is no need for any change to existing employment contracts if the UK leaves the EU without a deal and nor will EU staff need to reapply for their own jobs because of EU Exit.

The letter adds that professionals qualified in the EEA and Switzerland can continue to apply for registration after exit day, even if the UK leaves without a deal. However, the DHSC adds that this does not negate the salary threshold requirements previously discussed by Government.

EU citizens working in the NHS are encouraged to apply for EU Settlement status.

The health and care minister has also reassured front line heallth care professionals that there are “well established routine procedures to deal with medicine shortages”. He adds: “While we never provide guarantees, we are confident that, if everyone – including suppliers, freight companies, international partners and the health and care system – does what they need to do, the supply of medicines and medical products should be uninterrupted in the event of exiting the EU without a deal.”

Other communications advise healthcare professionals to plan for the possibility of a no-deal scenario on 12 April.