On 14 May 2009, DG SANCO held its EU Health Policy Forum. The meeting was an opportunity for participants to provide input on the Forum’s future work and to get an update on major health policies.
Robert Madelin, Director General at DG SANCO, opened the Forum with a discussion on the forthcoming institutional renewal in Brussels; a particular focus was given to the European Parliament elections. Mr Madelin expressed his disappointment that health is not one of the key demands for organisations such as BusinessEurope and added that a healthy workforce and health at the workplace should be priorities.
Mr Madelin also pointed out the need to remain alert as to the evolution of novel influenza. A new wave of the pandemic in Autumn is a real threat and Europe needs to be prepared.
Future work and activities of the EUHPF
The morning session was then devoted to the future work and activities of the EUHPF.
A presentation on the development of the strategic priorities and workplan 2009/2010 was given.
The EUHPF has identified the following strategic priority policy areas:
– economic change: health as an economic driver and ill-health as an economic burden;
– demographic change: its impact on health systems and health needs;
– environmental change: its impact on health and on the organisation of health services;
– technological change: innovation and development.
Strategic cross cutting themes for the Forum include:
– health-related rights of citizens;
– health inequalities within and between Member States;
– better integration of research into policy-making.
Update on health policies
An update on the implementation of the objectives of the Health Strategy was given. Here are some highlighted points:
– Regarding Health threats, an experts meeting was held in May;
– Regarding Health systems and new technologies, the Report on the Patients’ Rights Directive was adopted; the terms of reference on quality of care will be discussed at the Council.
The Commission also informed the participants about its foreseen work on reducing health inequalities (September).
Regarding the economic crisis and health, Paul de Raeve presented the WHO Meeting in Oslo he attended on behalf of EPHA. For more information, please see the following article: ->art3455]. Iva Misigova presented the finalised process of drafting the [Open Letter to heads of government on the economic crisis.
The Commission expressed its interest in knowing more about the impact of the crisis on the various health sectors represented at the Forum.
DG SANCO then presented its Youth initiative. DG SANCO, alongside the European Youth Forum, is organising a major conference on the health of young people to be held in July.
DG SANCO presented the Stakeholder Dialogue Group. The objective of this group is to advise the Directorate General and the European Commission on different process issues. A call for interest for individuals has been launched. Members were informed by email. Deadline: 16 June 2009.
An update was given by DG SANCO on the proposed Directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare. The Commission released the proposal in July 2008 and it is currently in co-decision. The Czech Presidency will give an update at the EPSCO Council on 9 June. DG SANCO pointed out that the European Parliament went beyond DG SANCO’s expectations, unlike the Council.
Regarding the Commission Communication on patient safety, the Commission informed participants that the legal aspects are being finalised. DG SANCO expressed its support of the text presented by the Presidency and assumes that the text will be adopted at the next EPSCO in June.
In the afternoon, an update was made on the Commission’s White Paper on Adapting to Climate change – Towards a European Framework for action. For further information, please see the following article: [->art3487]
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For further information
EPHA related articles
– [->art3487]
– [->art1056]