The NHS in Scotland could need an extra £500 million in cash and 1,000 additional beds if UK citizens living in Europe return home after Brexit, a report has warned.
Current arrangements mean UK citizens living in other European Union states are entitled to free or low cost healthcare under the S1 scheme.
Now MSPs on Holyrood's Health Committee have warned that if this is lost in the wake of Brexit there could be "significant" implications for the NHS.
"It has been estimated an additional £500 million would be required to care for the people returning to the UK and it has been hypothesised the NHS would need an additional 1,000 hospital beds," MSPs said in a new report.
"This could also have an impact on social care in Scotland with more care home beds required should Scottish citizens return home."
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Members of the Health and Sport Committee voiced their concerns after carrying out an inquiry into the impact leaving the EU could have on the health service.
Prior to the European referendum in 2016 the NHS was already facing "increasing demands", MSPs said, highlighting "increased waiting times, pressure on recruiting and retaining staff, and difficulty in adopting new technologies and innovative ways of working".
Their report warned: "It is possible Brexit will impact on NHS budgets and we are concerned how the NHS will cope and adapt in times of increased budget pressures."
The MSPs called on the Scottish Government to set out how it would respond to financial pressures on the NHS after Britain leaves the EU.
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They also want to know what work the Government has done to identify the consequences for the NHS of Scottish citizens returning home to live after Brexit.
The MSPs said: "We have concerns about the implications should reciprocal arrangements not continue after the exit date.
"If Scottish citizens return to the UK as a result of this it would have an impact on health and social care services."
In addition to this the report stressed new trade deals done by the UK in the aftermath of Brexit must not open the door to the privatisation of the health service north of the border.
The MSPs said: "The Scottish NHS is different in many ways to the English NHS. We believe it is vitally important the Scottish NHS is allowed to continue to remain free from privatisation and able to continue pushing forward with public health initiatives.
"We recommend to all concerned, including the UK Government, that any post-Brexit trade deals should not open up opportunities for privatisation of the Scottish NHS or endanger public health initiatives."
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: "EU workers make a vital contribution to our health and care services.
"However, evidence from health experts has demonstrated the huge risks to recruitment and retention of NHS staff from Europe if the free movement of workers and the cross-border recognition of qualifications, education and training are diminished.
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"I am clear that the only way to protect patients, staff and health and social care services is to retain our membership of the Single Market and Customs Union.
"It very welcome that the Scottish Government position has now been backed by the Scottish Parliament's Health Committee.
"There are serious concerns across a whole number of sectors about Brexit's impact, and we will not know the full damage it will do until we know the actual terms of Brexit."
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