WITH just 50 days until the UK is due to leave the European Union there is still no clear picture of what the future relationship with our soon to be former partners will be.

As Theresa May seeks to re-negotiate a deal then get it approved by parliament others are still advocating a second referendum

Meanwhile businesses and the public sector are having to prepare for a post Brexit future without knowing what it will look like.

The NHS is one crucial area where there will be implications of Britain leaving the EU.

Fears over access to vital medicine supplies and medical equipment have been raised while concerns noted around funding for important research collaborations and the likelihood of losing staff from EU countries and difficulties.

More than three quarters of NHS medicine and half of disposable equipment like syringes comes from the EU.

The Government has asked pharmaceutical companies to stockpile medicine to ensure there is a six week supply.

Last year Scotland’s chief Medical Officer said there would be sufficient supplies for the NHS following Brexit.

The UK government has provided advice for patients who get medication from their GP and said that if its advice to firms is followed there should be enough supplies and if there is a shortage of one drug then an alternative will be prescribed.

For drugs that can’t be stockpiled because they have a short lifespan they will be airlifted to the UK to avoid delays at ports.

The Scottish government says concerned patients should discuss it with their GP but not “rush to increase stocks” of medicine”.

Michael Russel Scottish Brexit Secretary said: “It has long been clear that leaving the EU, under any circumstances, will have a negative impact on the health and social care sector.

“On medicines, the Scottish Government is working with all other UK administrations to make sure that patients get the medicines and other medical supplies they need, as far as is possible.

Another issue facing health boards and he care sector is staffing and the recruitment and retention of suitably qualified staff.

Mr Russell said ending freedom of movement would have an impact.

Around one in every 20 NHS worker is from another EU country and nursing representatives fear a recruitment crisis on hospital wards and health centres could be looming.

Royal College of Nursing Scotland said Brexit shows the need for a new approach to staffing.

Responding to a Scottish Parliament inquiry the RCN said: “While international nurses play an important role in the health and social care sectors, they can be no substitute for long-term, strategic workforce planning, especially when there is a rising nursing vacancy rate in Scotland.

“Without this, the workforce remains vulnerable due to tighter immigration restrictions, the impact of Brexit and the impact of the global shortage of nurses will make it more difficult to recruit from abroad.”

New figures however, show an increase in the number of people applying to train as nurses in Scotland up by 9% to more than 5000 this year.

Theresa Fyffe, RCN Director, said: “It’s really good to see an increase in the number of people considering nursing as a career. Scotland desperately needs more nurses if every patient is to receive safe and effective care now and in the years to come.

NHS care homes and private care homes employ thousands of staff from other EU countries.

Many have reported that since Britain voted to leave the EU, it has become more difficult to recruit staff.

The Scottish Government has warned that in the event of no deal, with Britain out of the Customs Union and Single Market, there could be delays at border ports for goods including medicine entering the UK from the EU.

Health research could be affected. Glasgow’s universities and the growing life sciences sector in the city are involved in medical research and receives funding from European Union sources.

The UK chancellor has guaranteed funding for organisations until the end of next year.