Press Release

UEG launches new Patient Representatives Advisory Board to strengthen patient voice in digestive health

October 18, 2026

(Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, October 18, 2026) United European Gastroenterology (UEG) has today launched its new Patient Representatives Advisory Board (PRAB), creating a dedicated platform to embed patient perspectives within its public affairs activities and wider efforts to improve digestive health across Europe.

Launched at UEG Week 2026 in Barcelona, the PRAB marks the next step in UEG’s commitment to strengthening the role of people living with digestive diseases in its work.

The launch builds on UEG’s collaboration with patient organisations, including the Digestive Health Roundtable 2025 and its Manifesto, which called for patients to be recognised as co-creators of digestive health policy, research and care.

As a structured and independent advisory body, the PRAB will provide patient-centred input into UEG’s public affairs activities and, where relevant, its wider work. By creating a formal interface between UEG and the European patient community, it aims to identify shared challenges across digestive diseases and strengthen collaboration with patient organisations.

Professor Joost PH Drenth, UEG President, said, “If we want to improve digestive health in ways that genuinely respond to patients’ needs, their perspectives must be part of the conversation from the outset. The Patient Representatives Advisory Board gives us a dedicated way to listen, learn and work together, helping ensure that the patient voice informs our priorities and the work we take forward.”

The PRAB was formally launched during the Digestive Health Roundtable 2026, where patient representatives joined clinicians, researchers and stakeholders to explore how patient perspectives can be incorporated into digestive health research. Discussions focused on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), involvement across the research lifecycle and the development of a practical toolkit.

“We are very pleased about the establishment of the UEG Patient Representatives Advisory Board, which provides us with a dedicated platform to ensure that patients’ perspectives are meaningfully incorporated into our public affairs activities,” said Professor Alexander Hann, Chair of the UEG Public Affairs Group.

In a joint statement, patient representatives from AOECS, DiCE, ECPO, ELPA, EOS Network, IFCCA, ILCM and PCE said, “The PRAB creates a formal space for patients and patient organisations to bring their perspectives directly into UEG’s work. By working together across digestive diseases, we can identify shared challenges, strengthen collaboration and help ensure that advocacy and activities reflect the priorities and experiences of the people they are intended to serve.”

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Notes to editors

For further information or to arrange an expert interview, please contact [email protected]

We kindly ask that a reference to UEG Week 2026 is included when communicating any information within this press release.

About the experts

Joost PH Drenth is President of United European Gastroenterology (UEG) and Professor of Hepatology at Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands. As an internationally recognised gastroenterologist, he focuses his research on generating high-quality clinical evidence through randomised controlled trials to improve patient care and outcomes.

Professor Alexander Hann is Chair of the Public Affairs Group of United European Gastroenterology (UEG) and Professor of Digital Transformation in Gastroenterology at University Hospital Würzburg, Germany. His expertise includes interventional endoscopy, artificial intelligence and digital innovation in digestive healthcare.

About UEG

Founded in 1992, United European Gastroenterology (UEG) is Europe's leading non-profit organisation for digestive health. Based in Vienna, UEG is the professional home of the multidisciplinary digestive health community, uniting 17 European specialist societies, 50 national member societies and around 40,000 UEG Associates at all career stages. Through education, research, clinical standards and advocacy, UEG works to reduce the burden of digestive diseases and improve digestive health across Europe, bringing the community together each year at its annual congress, UEG Week.

For more information, visit ueg.eu.

About AOECS

The Association of European Coeliac Societies is an umbrella organisation of European national coeliac societies, aiming to represent our 47 enrolled member societies on an international stage. We’re involved in several international initiatives to raise awareness of coeliac disease and encourage vital research into its diagnosis and management.

About DiCE

Digestive Cancers Europe is a European non-profit umbrella organisation uniting patient organisations and collaborating with stakeholders dedicated to digestive cancers. Through advocacy, research, and awareness-raising, we support patients and carers to improve survival and quality of life.

About ELPA

The European Liver Patients’ Association’s aim is to promote the interests of people with liver disease and in particular: to highlight the size of the problem; to promote awareness and prevention; to address the low profile of liver disease as compared to other areas of medicine such as heart disease; to share experience of successful initiatives; to work with professional bodies to ensure that treatment and care are harmonised across Europe to the highest standards.

About EOS Network

Eosinophilic Diseases Charity supports patients and connects professionals globally. We empower better outcomes through trusted, patient-centered information, advocacy, and collaboration. Our mission is to ensure every person with an Eosinophilic-Associated Disease receives a prompt diagnosis, care, and lifelong support.

About ECPO

The European Coalition for People living with Obesity is a non-profit collaborative and the leading organisation paving the way to improve the lives of those affected by and living with obesity across Europe.

About IFCCA

The International Federation of Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis Associations represents 51 national patient associations worldwide, working to improve quality of life and care for people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and strengthen their voice in healthcare and policy decisions.

About ILCM

The International Liver Cancer Movement is a global incubator and connector facilitating community building and exchange in the field of liver cancer around the world.

About PCE

Pancreatic Cancer Europe is a multi-stakeholder platform uniting European experts—including academics, physicians, politicians, patient groups, and journalists—to improve care for pancreatic cancer patients.

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