#LoveOurEUStaff: Campaign to recognise European doctors, nurses within British hospitals

Workers in UK hospitals are leading a social media campaign to alert Britons of the work European doctors and nurses do within their healthcare system.

NHS staff in Britain hold up signs showing where in EU they are from.

NHS staff in Britain hold up signs showing where in EU they are from. Source: Twitter

National Health Service (NHS) workers in the UK have been sharing photos showing Britons exactly where their doctors, nurses and other medical staff come from.

Europeans working in British hospitals face an uncertain future following Britain's Brexit referendum where the country voted to leave the European Union.

Of the 1.2 million NHS staff workers, around 55,000 are citizens of other EU countries, according to the NHS's electronic staff record for September 2015. 

Hospital bosses have said the repercussions of the Brexit vote on the NHS are unknown, but NHS staff have moved to show solidarity with their EU co-workers. 

This photo of operating theatre staff has been shared more than 2,000 times, and has prompted others to share similar snapshots of their staff.
The NHS's most senior doctor, Sir Bruce Keogh, has called for hospital leaders to support European staff after the EU vote.

"It is really important we make them feel welcome," he told the

"If you are a European doctor or nurse you might not feel too welcome at the  moment. The essence of delivering high quality care is dependent on a workforce that feels valued and secure."

In response, many people are taking to Twitter to share their messages of support, using the hashtag #LoveOurEUStaff.

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Published 28 June 2016 1:12pm
Updated 28 June 2016 1:20pm
By Alyssa Braithwaite


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