As the UK moves into negotiations with the European Union, a new alliance, the Brexit Health Alliance, has been formed as a multi-stakeholder interest group.

The Brexit Health Alliance brings together the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and medical research, industry, patient, and public health organizations. It 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, a body representing organizations that plan, commission and provide NHS services. On an industry level, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, the Association of British Healthcare Industries, and the BioIndustry Association are founding members.

The Alliance said it will seek to make sure that issues such as healthcare research, access to technologies, and treatment of patients are given the prominence and attention in the Brexit negotiations. The Alliance further said it will assert that it is in both Europe’s 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 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.

Source: NHS Confederation