Health-EU Newsletter

Issue 48, 15 April 2010

In this edition


Welcome


4th European Patients' Rights Day, 18 April 2010


By Melody Ross – Director, Active Citizenship Network (ACN)



Putting citizens at the centre of EU health policy begins with guaranteeing patients' rights are respected. This will only be possible with the cooperation and commitment of all healthcare stakeholders in every EU country. It is thus essential to increase awareness regarding the importance of patients’ rights and everyone’s responsibilities in guaranteeing their respect.


For that reason, in 2007 Active Citizenship – together with citizen-patient organizations in all EU countries – began promoting the annual celebration of a European Patients’ Rights Day (18 April) as a common occasion to inform, discuss and take action to improve patients’ rights in Europe and in every EU country.


Patients and citizens associations are organizing events throughout Europe to celebrate the 4th European Patients’ Rights Day. This celebration will conclude with a conference on 6 May at the European Parliament in Brussels, with the participation of Commissioner Dalli. Active Citizenship will reiterate our call for the Commissioner and Members of Parliament to legally recognize 18 April as “European Patients’ Rights Day”. Come join us!

 





News from the EU


New Eurobarometer on antimicrobial resistance

The Commission publishes this report which demonstrates the need for further progress in the European Union on the issue of anti microbial resistance and reveals some worrying trends in public attitudes towards the use of antibiotics.

New Eurobarometer on antimicrobial resistance

The Commission publishes this report which demonstrates the need for further progress in the European Union on the issue of anti microbial resistance and reveals some worrying trends in public attitudes towards the use of antibiotics.

New calls for tenders in the field of Public Health

European Commission's DG Health and Consumers and Executive Agency for Health and Consumers launch calls for tenders in the area of cross-broader prescriptions, training of transplant coordinators, mental health, orphan medicines, health inequalities, sexual health, EU structural funds and framework contracts on health reports and health security.

New calls for tenders in the field of Public Health

European Commission's DG Health and Consumers and Executive Agency for Health and Consumers launch calls for tenders in the area of cross-broader prescriptions, training of transplant coordinators, mental health, orphan medicines, health inequalities, sexual health, EU structural funds and framework contracts on health reports and health security.

Health e-Library now online

The health-related publications highlight the results of research projects financed by the European Union through the 6th and 7th Framework Programmes concerning strategic health research areas, such as stroke, influenza, cancer, new therapies as well as general publications on health research funding.

Health e-Library now online

The health-related publications highlight the results of research projects financed by the European Union through the 6th and 7th Framework Programmes concerning strategic health research areas, such as stroke, influenza, cancer, new therapies as well as general publications on health research funding.

Health system organisations under the microscope

A new project funded by the EU will compare the health system organisations of the 27 Member States, and will examine the robustness of health outcomes that are currently being used by health technology assessment officials.

Health system organisations under the microscope

A new project funded by the EU will compare the health system organisations of the 27 Member States, and will examine the robustness of health outcomes that are currently being used by health technology assessment officials.

Special Eurobarometer Survey on Sport and Physical activity

The results show large disparities in attitudes to sport and physical activity. The findings are based on face-to-face interviews with nearly 27,000 people in the 27 Member States.

Special Eurobarometer Survey on Sport and Physical activity

The results show large disparities in attitudes to sport and physical activity. The findings are based on face-to-face interviews with nearly 27,000 people in the 27 Member States.



Reporting from across Europe


France

Contest on patients' rights

France's Ministry of Health and Sport will celebrate the 4th European Patients' Rights Day with a contest on good practice “Promoting effective use and knowledge of patients rights”.

Italy

Cittadinanzattiva celebrates 30 years of promoting and protecting patients rights

Cittadinanzattiva’s main objectives are promoting civic participation and protecting citizens’ rights in Italy and Europe. The European Charter of Patients' Rights was inspired by the Italian experience of national and local patients' rights charters and the patients' rights day.

United Kingdom

Appetite for fresh, seasonal produce

A new toolkit which helps caterers provide consumers with more information about the origins of the food and drink available in Scotland's hotels, cafes, pubs and restaurants was recently launched in Edinburgh.



Forthcoming Events


European Patients' Rights Day (18 April 2010)

This day aims to put citizens at the centre of health policy and guarantee patients' rights are respected. Cooperation and commitment from all healthcare stakeholders in every EU country are needed.

Putting citizens at the centre of EU health policy (6 May 2010)

Conference at the European Parliament in Brussels with Commissioner Dalli, responsible for Health and Consumer Policy to celebrate the 4th European Patients’ Rights Day.



New Publications


Working with individuals, families and communities to improve maternal and newborn health

This document aims to establish a common vision and approach, as well as to identify the role of the WHO Making Pregnancy Safer initiative.

Working with individuals, families and communities to improve maternal and newborn health

This document aims to establish a common vision and approach, as well as to identify the role of the WHO Making Pregnancy Safer initiative.


What's New on Health-EU


Commission launches 2nd EU Health Prize for Journalists

Journalists are invited to submit articles related to the Europe for Patients campaign published in print or on-line publications between 16 June 2009 and 1 July 2010 using an on-line entry form.

Commission launches 2nd EU Health Prize for Journalists

Journalists are invited to submit articles related to the Europe for Patients campaign published in print or on-line publications between 16 June 2009 and 1 July 2010 using an on-line entry form.


Focus


European Patients' Rights Day (18 April 2010)


Activities at EU level


Health-EU - Patient Safety

European Commission – DG Health and Consumers

Working with patients and consumers

EMA - European Medicines Agency

Patient Safety

European Commission – DG Health and Consumers

Europe for Patients

European Commission campaign bringing together different policy initiatives aiming to improve healthcare for all in Europe

Pharmaceuticals

European Commission – DG Health and Consumers



EU Health Prize for journalists 2010 – Articles


Patients should be free to choose any hospital in the EU, by Kristine Jul Andersen, national nominee for Denmark

All citizens should have the right to be treated in another EU country at public expense if waiting times are too long in their own country.

Treatment abroad with costs covered at home, by Gary Finnegan, national nominee for Ireland

A proposed EU directive would allow citizens to have a procedure anywhere in the EU and be reimbursed in their home state.

Lifesaving checklist in the operating room, by Agnese Codignola, national nominee for Italy

Confirm the organ to be operated on. Wash hands. Have blood available... Minor precautions, but too often overlooked by surgeons. A famous surgeon explains how to save millions of lives.


Health Programme Projects


SIMPATIE - safety improvement for patients in Europe

Using Europe-wide networks of organisations, experts, professionals and other stakeholders to establish a common European vocabulary, indicators and internal and external instruments to improve safety in healthcare.

Value + promoting patients' involvement in EU-supported health projects

The project seeks to improve information and knowledge in order to develop better public health and patient-centred healthcare systems across Europe.


Other interesting links


ACN - Active Citizenship Network


European Guidelines for Cancer Patient Rights


European Code Against Cancer


European Charter of Patients Rights


Health-EU. The Public Health Portal of the European Union
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