What we do

The NHS Confederation is the membership organisation that brings together, supports and speaks for the whole healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We promote collaboration and partnership working as the key to improving population health, delivering high-quality care and reducing health inequalities.

The NHS Alliance

Over the past year, NHS leaders have told us they want a single, independent, membership body that brings NHS leadership together, represents their views to government, and supports them to improve their services.

That is why from April, the NHS Confederation and NHS Providers are coming together to form The NHS Alliance.

One organisation, one membership.

Uniting, representing and supporting healthcare leaders to improve the NHS and health of the UK.

Through the collective strength of our membership – spanning NHS trusts, integrated care boards, primary care providers, and voluntary and independent sector providers – we will help our members be heard in an increasingly complex, pressured and fragmented system.

When NHS organisations act alone, delivery weakens; when they act together, the health and care system is stronger, more coherent and more credible. The NHS Alliance will bring the collective weight of our membership in pursuit of a higher performing NHS and healthier nation.

If you have any questions about membership, please email us.

About the NHS Confederation

We support leaders to innovate and transform, helping them to improve the NHS and the nation’s health and wellbeing. We join the dots between different parts of the health and care system and we connect members and partners to share learning and develop solutions to common challenges.

At the sharp end of influencing the government and its national bodies, we provide a strong national voice to secure the conditions members need to succeed. We make an impact.

The members we represent employ over 1.5 million staff, care for more than 1 million patients a day and control £150 billion of public expenditure.

As a member of the NHS Confederation, you benefit from access to our extensive networks and forums, influential advocacy and analysis, and best practice and tools.

Our members include:
- In England: acute, mental health, community and ambulance NHS trusts; independent and voluntary sector providers; primary care networks and federations; and integrated care systems.
- In Wales: integrated local health boards, trusts and special health authorities.
- In Northern Ireland: health and social care trusts.
In England we also:
- Run NHS Employers, which supports the health service in its role as the nation’s largest employer.
- Host the NHS Race and Health Observatory, which is working to tackle ethnic inequalities in health and care.
- Support our members to embed equality, diversity and inclusion into their service planning through our three diversity networks: BME Leadership Network, Health and Care Women Leaders Network, Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network.
- Host the NHS European Office, which is the conduit for the NHS to engage with the European Union.
View our impact and progress reports capturing our achievements on behalf of members:

Interested in membership?

Access support that helps you improve population health, deliver high-quality care and reduce health inequalities.

Join us

Find out more

Membership

Join the membership body that brings together, supports and speaks for the whole healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Teal, yellow and red ovals over a navy blue background.

Networks & countries

We meet the specific needs of different parts of our membership across the UK and Europe through our various networks and support programmes.

Influence

We work closely with the government, parliament and national stakeholders to influence positive change on behalf of our members.

Partner with us

We work with organisations that are important to the future strength and prosperity of the healthcare sector. Our associate partners, non-NHS organisations that work with and supply services to the NHS, are a valuable part of the health and care sector and provide some of the most innovative and essential services.

Find out more about how our our experts can help you with commercial and partnership tailored healthcare event sponsorship packages.