Patient safety panel Magdalena Machalska EPF Policy Assistant

1.What is EPF Set up in 2003 to become patients' voice in the European health arena An umbrella organisation with 45 members (disease-specific patients organisations and national coalitions)  our focus is chronic disease Mission: A strong patients’ voice in European healthcare debates Vision: achieve high quality, patient centred, equitable healthcare in Europe for all patients

2. What we want to achieve FIVE STRATEGIC GOALS Patient Involvement Equal Access for Patients Patients’ Perspective Sustainable Patient Organisations Patient Unity

2. EU main institutional actors We are active in a number of European policy areas to ensure that the patient perspective is incorporated into the EU policy agenda.

4. How does EPF act on patient safety? A. Works closely with the European Commission … within a group it set up on Patient Safety and Quality of Care Working Group (PSQCWG) Purpose: Platform for information exchange on existing emerging issues, priorities and innovative solutions for safety and quality challenges  Recommendation for Patient Safety and Associated Care infections (2009)

4. How does EPF act on patient safety? (1) B. Work in alliances with other health patients’ representative groups and relevant stakeholders European Network for Patient Safety (EUnetPAS) Promoting culture of patient safety, organising materials for education and training in patient safety, Implementing reporting system, Testing tools of medication safety  General Guide for Education and Training in Patient Safety

4. How does EPF act on patient safety? (2) C. Works with the European Parliament The EPF Manifesto “150 Million reasons to act” Call to ensure equal and timely access to safe and effective diagnosis, treatments and support. Patient safety is part of the Manifesto: call to ensure that new planned laws on patient safety (Pharmacovigilance, Anti-counterfeiting, Animal testing) are workable and sustainable.

5.Patient involvement in patient safety Input of patients and Patients’ Organisations in health initiatives is essential. This will ensure that patient’s voice is reflected in policy making process and that a healthcare ultimately benefits patients.

5.Patient involvement in patient safety (1) Examples of patient involvement in patient safety activities 1. IAPO: Patient Safety Toolkit 2. Danish Handbook on Patient Safety 3. Patient University Project

5.Patient involvement in patient safety (2) To conclude: Value+ is a project led by EPF to assess Patients’ Involvement in Health-Related Projects supported by EU funds (January December 2009)

Thank you