Brexit health alliance formed to safeguard care and research

An alliance has been set up to put healthcare at the heart of Brexit negotiations.

The Brexit Health Alliance, announced at the Confed17 conference in Liverpool today, will provide a united voice for the health sector when lobbying the government on the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU).

It will seek to ensure that issues such as healthcare research, access to technologies and treatment of patients are given the ‘prominence and attention they deserve’ in Brexit talks.

Bringing together the NHS, medical research, industry, patients and public health organisations, it will be co-chaired by Sir Hugh Taylor, the former permanent secretary of the Department of Health, and Niall Dickson, NHS Confederation chief executive.

The Alliance will argue that it is in Europe and the UK’s interests to maintain cooperation in research and in handling public health issues.

It will also call on the UK government to ensure there is a commitment to medical research and to providing alternative funding, and that UK citizens’ right to receive healthcare in EU countries is preserved. 

Neutral

Mr Dickson warned: ‘There is a risk that healthcare will be forgotten alongside the vast number of issues that the negotiators will have to address. 

‘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 here and in Europe.’

Mr Dickson told the conference that the alliance would be politically neutral and will not seek to speak for or against Brexit.

King's College London professor of nursing policy Anne Marie Rafferty welcomed the alliance.

She said: ‘The EU has been an important funder of research in nursing and a vital source of collaboration on workforce and other issues.

‘We need to maintain momentum on building research capacity and the evidence base by working with colleagues from the coalition to ensure nursing and midwifery are included in any post Brexit funding arrangements.’

In other news

• NHS pay must match staff commitment, urge heath providers
• Healthcare innovations ‘could save the NHS £18.5 billion’