A new joint report from the NHS Confederation and the Independent Commission on UK-EU Relations calls for a standalone EU–UK Health Protection Agreement to safeguard the health of citizens across the continent.

The report, Collaborating on the Future Health of Europe, argues that new health threats, medicine shortages and the experience of the pandemic demonstrate the need for structured, formal cooperation between the UK and the EU. While past progress has relied on ad hoc arrangements and unilateral action, the report urges a more sustainable, long-term solution.