Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with representatives of the devolved administrations on the work of the European Reference Networks after the UK leaves the EU.

The Government's policy paper, ‘Collaboration on Science and Innovation: A Future Partnership Paper’ stresses the importance of continued collaboration with European partners to ensure that the United Kingdom remains one of the best places in the world for science and innovation. European Reference Networks (ERNs) for rare diseases patients were cited in the paper as an example of collaboration that the UK and European Union need to discuss in the negotiations.

ERNs are a cornerstone of the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases. Implementation of the Strategy is overseen by the UK Policy Board which has representation from all of the four UK nations.

The Government has been clear from the start that the devolved administrations should be fully engaged in our preparations to leave the EU, including through the Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations.

We are committed to positive and productive engagement with the devolved administrations going forward as we seek a deal that works for the entire UK.