The Value + Project drew to a close at the end of last year with a conference in Brussels held under the patronage of the Swedish EU Presidency.
Value + was led by the European Patients' Forum and funded by EC Public Health Programme. The EMHF was an associate partner of the consortium running the project.
The project was based on the idea that 'the meaningful involvement of patients enhances the outcome of health projects, and through that patients can contribute effectively towards patient-centred, equitable healthcare policy throughout the European Union'.
At the closing conference, Swedish Minister for Health and Social Affairs, Göran Hägglund said 'Patients, not the system must be at the heart of health and medical care'. EPF Director Nicola Bedlington said 'The EPF Value+ Conference shows that putting patients at the centre of healthcare is not negotiable. Empowering patients and making them part of the healthcare system makes sense for their wellbeing and for the wellbeing of the economy as a whole.'
To this end, the project concluded with a series of recommendations to the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Member States around three themes: the right to involvement, resources and capacity building. The project also produced a toolkit and handbook.
