RCPOD response to the Windsor Framework: The House of Lords Sub-Committee on the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland

1.  About the Royal College of Podiatry

The Royal College of Podiatry is the professional organisation and trade union for podiatrists in the UK. The College represents regulated podiatrists across the UK and supports them to deliver high-quality foot and lower limb care, and to continue to develop their skills.

Podiatrists are experts in all aspects of foot and lower limb function and health, they are highly skilled healthcare professionals trained to diagnose, prevent, treat, and rehabilitate complications of the foot and lower limb. Podiatrists work across the life course from childhood through to elderly and palliative care. In addition to manging complications and co-morbidities of many long-term conditions, podiatrists keep people active, mobile, in work, and living independently. Podiatrists enable people to manage foot and lower limb pain, skin conditions, prevent falls, prevent infection, and manage lower limb neurological and circulatory disorders.

2.  Our response

The College welcomes this opportunity to submit a response to House of Lords Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland regarding the Windsor Protocol. We have answered the questions that are relevant to our organisation, our members and our profession.

Overall/General

What is your overall assessment of the Windsor Framework? How far does it go to resolve the problems that have arisen with the Protocol? Does it leave any issues unresolved?

We are content that the Protocol will resolve any issues affecting the supply of medical equipment into Northern Ireland particularly the new UK internal market system (or green lane) for internal trade. We welcome the move to ensure that organisations in Northern Ireland are not disadvantaged in trading with England, Scotland, or Wales

Customs procedures and the movement of goods

5. What is your assessment of the Windsor Framework’s provisions in relation to customs procedures and the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including the arrangements for ‘green’ and ‘red’ lanes, an enhanced Trusted Trader Scheme, handling of Tariff Rate Quotas and the system of commercial data-sharing?

We believe that these proposals are reasonable and sensible in ensuring frictionless trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Medicines

9. What is your assessment of the Windsor Framework’s provisions on the supply of human medicines to Northern Ireland? Do they deal sufficiently with the issues previously raised by industry in relation to the Protocol?

We believe the proposals are reasonable in addressing the issues that previously arose. And that the freedom of movement of goods will be more easily achieved under what is proposed, including what has been outlined concerning data sharing, trusted trader schemes and allowing more businesses to be classed as internal traders. 

Prior to the Windsor Framework there were serious concerns from our members in independent practice and the trade organisations that supply them, that the added form filling was inevitably increasing cost of products coming from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. And that additional cost would therefore have been added to the price of a podiatry appointment. Thereby, putting those who were poorest and did not meet the NHS risk criteria at risk of not being able to receive the preventive care they needed.

18. What is your assessment of the Commission’s proposals for enhanced engagement with Northern Ireland stakeholders, including dedicated annual presentations, information sessions, workshops, and mechanisms for engagement with public consultations and impact assessments?

We welcome the Commission’s proposal for enhanced engagement, as we will continue our engagement with our members and trade partners. Thank you for considering this response and we look forward to receiving the committee’s final report into the consultation.

Dr Anne Monaghan
Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Northern Ireland)
Royal College of Podiatry

May 2023