European Public Health Alliance:the voice of public health in Europe

Brussels, 19 February 2009Jessica Imbert

OUTLINE

Part 1 - Presentation of EPHA

Part 2 - Case study:

the Patient Rights Directive

WHO ARE WE?

EPHA is a network of

around 100 non-governmental

and not-for-profit organisations

across Europe

working on health and health-related issues.

WHAT IS OUR MISSION?

To protect the health of all people living in Europe

To strengthen dialogue between EU institutions, citizens and NGOs in support of healthy public policies

WHO ARE OUR MEMBERS?

Health advocates

Disease specific groups

Patients groups

Local Authorities

Academic Institutes

Health professionals groups

WHO ARE OUR MEMBERS?

International Networks

European networks

National/Regional Networks

Individual member organisations

WHO ARE WE?

WHAT DO WE WORK ON?

EPHA as Public Health Platform:

Health Determinants Health Systems EU Systems Global Health

Health Determinants

Keeping people healthy

Health Determinants

Key Priorities 2009

Public health concerns recognised in “Food Information to Consumers” proposal

Increased cooperation on Alcohol policy Report on EU approach to health determinants

Health Systems

Managing the Patient Journey

HealthcareHealth professionalsHealth tools

Health Systems

Key priorities for 2009

Pharmaceutical Package Patient Rights Directive Green Paper on European Workforce for Health Patient Safety

EU Systems

Creating a healthy-friendly EU

EU InstitutionsEU Legislation and Policy makingEU Processes

EU Systems

Key Priorities 2009

Institutional RenewalStakeholder Approach and CSO InvolvementPost-Lisbon Agenda and Economic Crisis

Global Health

EPHA also works to improve European policies that have an impact on global health,

primarily through Action for Global Health

EPHA as a Public Health Network

Communication - Eyes and Ears in BrusselsServices - adding value to our membersExpansion - inclusive representation

HOW DO WE WORK?

Information Dissemination

EPHA newsletterWebsite with public forum: www.epha.orgPolicy briefingsEU reports

HOW DO WE WORK?

Capacity building

Policy coordination meetingsWorkshops and training

HOW DO WE WORK?

Coordinated actions

EPHA working GroupsAdvocacy plansPosition papersConsultation responses

WHO DO WE WORK WITH?

Public Institutions

- European Union Institutions

- National and local policy makers

- International Governmental Organisations: WHO, OECD, Council of Europe...

Non-Health NGOs

- Social Partners

Other Stakeholders

- Media

- Foundations and policy institutes

- Industry

A CASE STUDY

The Proposal for a Directive on the application of Patients Rights

in cross-border healthcare

CASE STUDYThe Patients' Rights Directive

BACKGROUNDApril 2006: Health services excluded from Bolkenstein

May 2006 Watts Case: EU citizens can seek healthcare in other MS

July 2008: Proposal for a Directive on patients rights in cross-border healthcare.

CASE STUDYThe Patients' Rights Directive

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNITY'S CONCERNS

- Impact on the patient- Impact on the health professional- Impact on Health Systems in Member States- Impact on socially excluded citizens

CASE STUDYThe Patients' Rights Directive

OBJECTIVES OF EPHA ADVOCACY STRATEGY

- A policy change: The proposed Directive should move towards the same level of access for all EU citizens

- A warning: The proposed Directive should serve as a warning to tackle health inequalities

CASE STUDYThe Patients' Rights Directive

EPHA ADVOCACY STRATEGY

- public health community: joint position

- Alert EU institutions – formally and informally:- Commission- European Council- European Parliament

Jessica Imbert

European Public Health Alliance

Rue de Trèves 49 – 51 Boîte 6

BE - 1040 Brussels

+32 (0) 2 233 3886

j.imbert@epha.org

www.epha.org