German GP refuses to leave her patients despite Brexit uncertainty

Dr Birgit Woolley, who works as a GP at Victoria Road Surgery in Worthing, said: “I have too much loyalty to disappear at a time of crisis.

“I am not going to let people suffer.”

But 63-year-old Dr Woolley, who plans to retire next year, said had she been younger she might have decided to leave the UK for a less uncertain future.

She said a doctor colleague of hers – who does not work at Victoria Road Surgery – has decided to leave the UK following the referendum.

She added: “General practice is really in a very difficult spot at the moment.

“You can hardly get anybody who wants to be a GP.

“The uncertainy makes it more difficult to recruit as well. It is in the interests of the NHS that the uncertainty gets finished as soon as possible.”

To read more about the role EU nationals play in the NHS in Worthing and the rest of the UK, click here.