Editorial

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  11 March 2013

  More needs to be done to protect patients…and we can help - Editorial by David Byrne, Patron

  This past week, EU Health Ministers gathered for an informal meeting in Dublin to discuss a variety of health issues, one of which was patient safety.  In the context of discussions on the impact of the economic crisis on health systems across Europe, I commend the Irish Presidency for bringing patient safety onto the agenda because economic pressure in EU health systems will certainly impact on the safety of patients.  As Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner Tonio Borg stated after the meeting, “Healthcare associated infections are something that we can reverse.  70% of cases could have been prevented with the right measures and while there has been great progress in all Member States, there is still much to be done.”

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  15 January 2013

  Improving the lives of patients in 2013 (By John Bowis, Honorary President of Health First Europe)

  Health First Europe has always believed that by bringing together all health stakeholders, solutions for challenges in healthcare can be found that benefit all patients.  In 2012, we continued in our conviction that together we could better protect patients and improve access to treatment by working with the EU institutions and other EU health stakeholders. This past year, our work on patient safety and health technology assessment (HTA) produced concrete recommendations for policymakers on how the EU can support the improvement and delivery of care for patients.

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  13 August 2012

  EFORT: Musculoskeletal health a key component of active ageing

  Often overlooked as an unavoidable part of ageing, musculoskeletal conditions are actually the leading cause of disability, work-loss and early retirement, and represent a staggering annual burden of about Euros 240 billion.  Affecting more than 20 million people in the EU, the conditions with the greatest impact on society are osteoarthritis, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and musculoskeletal trauma.

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  01 August 2011

  The International Alliance of Patients' Organizations (IAPO) sets up Non Communicable Diseases and Patient Safety as global health strategies

  In the run up to the United Nations (UN) “High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases” also known as the UN Summit on NCDs the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO) has been carrying out a number of activities to ensure that there is a strong patient voice in the development of strategies to fight NCDs.

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  14 April 2011

  The contribution of HFE to policymaking in 2011 (by John Bowis)

  At Health First Europe, we believe that “Health equals wealth.” We believe that investment in the healthcare systems throughout Europe will contribute to a more efficient, effective and productive society. And we believe that citizens must have access to the innovations that are a result of that investment in health. That is why every year we devise a working programme which enlists us to undertake specific awareness raising campaigns and events which further these beliefs based on the agenda of EU policymakers. We use our working programme to make a real difference in the lives of patients – which in essence, is each and every one of us.

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