SNP MP Dr Philippa Whitford says the benefits of EU membership are not fully appreciated
DURING the Scottish referendum, the main case for independence was self-determination for Scotland; that we should make decisions about our own future.
Sadly, the sovereignty we held for 15 hours on 18 September 2014 was handed back and now we have to accept that the decision on the European Union has basically been made by how England voted.
On Wednesday, I took part in a Westminster debate on the future of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) which currently has its headquarters in London. The EMA symbolises much of what we have gained from the EU in the last 40 years but have never given it credit for.
It evolved from the drug regulatory systems of EU countries coming together, forming a single streamlined licensing system. The EU has increased collaborative research, through funding schemes like Horizon 2020, to become the biggest research network in the world; larger than China or the US.
One of the reasons we are having this debate, apart from the schism in the Tory party, is that the UK has never celebrated any of the benefits the EU has brought us.
The UK has been the biggest beneficiary of this due to its strong university sector and pharmaceutical industry, and Scotland has also attracted more than its proportionate share of funding.
The EMA allows new drugs to go through a single licensing system which speeds up their availability to patients and keeps costs streamlined for the British pharmaceutical industry, which is a world player.
The EMA is particularly instrumental in the research and development of treatments for rare diseases which are less viable if trying to gather a research cohort within one population.
We hear much about the bureaucracy of the EU but very little about how difficult it would be to deal with 27 other countries individually had the single market not developed, especially for small businesses which would struggle to tackle varying rules and regulations in 27 languages.
Similarly, the EMA is helping to reduce bureaucracy for future trials. While taking part in the EMA would still be available to the UK if we joined the European Economic Area, we would not have influence within it and the HQ would be very unlikely to remain in London.
Almost all of us have benefitted from the EU, particularly through the rights we have gained due to the social chapter and health and safety directives.
However, even this is becoming a vain hope as recent rhetoric suggests we are lurching towards a painfully hard Brexit.
One of the reasons we are having this debate, apart from the schism in the Tory party, is that the UK has never celebrated any of the benefits the EU has brought us; only moaning or telling apocryphal stories regarding the shape of bananas.
Almost all of us have benefitted from the EU, particularly through the rights we have gained due to the social chapter and health and safety directives.
From the point of view of health, the EU has contributed to significant improvements in individual, public and environmental health. For individual patients, the most palpable health benefit is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which ensures that they can receive necessary treatment while traveling, on the same basis as a citizen of that country.
The social chapter brought stronger maternity rights for pregnant women and greater protection for workers. Companies often moan about "red tape" but, one man's red tape is another's health and safety.
From the point of view of health, the EU has contributed to significant improvements in individual, public and environmental health.
During my early years as a surgeon, I commonly saw workers with chemical or thermal burns, or terrible limb injuries from dangerous and unprotected machines.
Rules on water quality have improved sewage processing and cleaned up our beaches while emission rules have brought down air pollution and tackled acid rain.
Despite the claims of the referendum debate, EU nationals are low users of our NHS. 130,000, including my husband who is German, work as nurses and doctors who we could not easily replace with UK graduates.
It was very difficult to work in other countries in the early days of the EU due to differing regulation systems whereas recognition of qualifications makes it easier to move but also for employers to check up on qualifications. There is also an EU-wide alert system between regulators to flag up a medical professional who has had their practice restricted.
Considerable EU research is focussed on the common challenges we face such as dementia, obesity and growing antibiotic resistance. The need for all countries to reduce their use and preserve them is recognised.
The social chapter brought stronger maternity rights for pregnant women and greater protection for workers.
While recent evidence suggests medical prescriptions are reducing, their use within animal husbandry will also have to be tackled and this will require an EU directive so that it applies across Europe.
One particular cross border challenge in recent years is the resurgence of infectious diseases such as Ebola or pandemic flu, which do not respect borders. The Ebola outbreak required incredible cooperation, including the involvement of the health security committee which coordinated the medical evacuation of EU citizens back from Sierra Leone.
In terms of health, EU membership has brought only gains. It has represented 28 countries working collectively to face the challenges of the modern world, challenges which we need to face together.
Scotland is an outward looking country that is keen to engage with the outside world, not pull up the drawbridge.
We believe in independence, not isolationism.
Picture courtesy of European Parliament
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