Trade deals and the NHS

One of the Government’s main Brexit objectives has been for the UK to pursue an independent trade policy. The Government is negotiating a free trade agreement with the US, Australia, New Zealand and considers joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The effects of future trade agreements on the NHS, especially the consequences of agreeing a trade deal with the US, have been in focus of public debate. There are particular concerns that trading terms agreed with other countries would limit the ability of the government and devolved administrations to organise and publicly fund their health services or change the way the public access NHS services.