Euro. patients rights network

[Peter Marshall <techdiff@ix.netcom.com>]

BMJ 1999;318:1234
( 8 May )

News

European network for
patients' rights set up

Tessa Richards , BMJ

A new European network
aimed at promoting
patients' rights has been
launched. The network
will share and
disseminate information
on the development of
patients' rights throughout the European region.

At a conference in Copenhagen to launch the network at the end of April it
emerged that although many countries had passed laws or published charters
on patients' rights over the past few years, their actions had had little
effect. The conference was organised by the World Health Organisation, the
Nordic Council of Ministers, and the Nordic School of Public Health.

"Patients consistently report that their opinions are not adequately
considered and that their rights are often violated," said Dr Mikko
Vienonen, regional adviser at the WHO's regional office for Europe.

The reason for this is deep rooted, the meeting was told. Healthcare
professionals and those responsible for organising and funding health
systems have tended to regard the various statutes with scepticism, and they
have been seen as too complicated or costly to implement. The concept of
developing a partnership with patients and the need to provide them with
good information and involve them fully in decisions about their care has
not been widely accepted.

Further information about the network may be obtained from Dr Mikko
Vienonen, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Scherfigsvej 8, DK-2100,
Copenhagen Ø, Denmark (tel: +45 39 17 1203).

© British Medical Journal 1999