A new alliance between healthcare bodies has formed ‘to safeguard’ the interests of the health service as the UK prepares to leave the EU.
The leaders of the new alliance have said the group aims to work with the Government under the assumption that Brexit is moving forward rather than pushing their own views on leaving the EU.
The alliance has said its members will argue that it is in both Europe and the UK’s interests to maintain co-operation in research and in handling public health issues.
A new alliance between healthcare bodies has formed ‘to safeguard’ the interests of the health service as the UK prepares to leave the EU.
The leaders of the new alliance have said the group aims to work with the Government under the assumption that Brexit is moving forward rather than pushing their own views on leaving the EU.
The alliance has said its members will argue that it is in both Europe and the UK’s interests to maintain co-operation in research and in handling public health issues.
It will also call on the UK government to make sure there is a commitment to medical research and providing alternative funding, and that UK citizens’ right to receive healthcare in EU countries is preserved.
With voices from the NHS, medical research and public health organisations, the alliance intends to highlight that issues such as healthcare research and treatment of patients should have prominence in the Brexit negotiations.
The alliance will be co-chaired by Sir Hugh Taylor, the former permanent secretary of the Department of Health, and Niall Dickson, the Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation.
Niall Dickson said there is a risk that the NHS will be ‘forgotten’ in the negotiations.
He said: ‘It is vital we protect world leading research, that patients have access to medicines when they need them and that co-operation between the UK and Europe continues to protect all our citizens.
‘These vital issues will have a profound impact on the future health and wellbeing of patients both here and in Europe.’
The members of the Brexit Health Alliance are:
- NHS Confederation – Co-chair of alliance
- Welsh NHS Confederation
- Northern Ireland Confederation (NICON)
- Association of UK University Hospitals (AUKUH)
- Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AOMRC)
- NHS Providers
- National Voices
- Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)
- Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI)
- The Richmond Group of Charities
- BioIndustry Association (BIA)
- Faculty of Public Health (FPH)
- Association of Medical Research Charities – (AMRC)
- Scottish NHS Chief Executive Group
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