Table Of Content Strengthening voluntary cooperation between Member States to improve the health of EU citizens... 2 Summary... 3 Work Package... 8 Coordination and evaluation of the project... 8 Structured Cooperation between Health Systems as a mechanism to improve access to innovative and highly specialised services, medicines and technologies throughout the European Union... 8 Childhood Obesity: halting the rise... 8 Coordinator, Leader contact and partners... 10 Outputs... 11 Coordination and evaluation of the project... 11 Structured Cooperation between Health Systems as a mechanism to improve access to innovative and highly specialised services, medicines and technologies throughout the European Union... 11 Childhood Obesity: halting the rise... 11 Page 1/12
Strengthening voluntary cooperation between Member States to improve the health of EU citizens JA2015 - GPSD [705038] START DATE: 22/06/2016 END DATE: 21/08/2017 DURATION: 16 month(s) CURRENT STATUS: Finalised PROGRAMME TITLE: 3rd Health Programme (2014-2020) PROGRAMME PRIORITY: - CALL: Maltese EU Presidency Conference TOPIC: Conference on 'Structured Cooperation between Health Care Systems and Technical meeting on 'Childhood Obesity' EC CONTRIBUTION: 100000 EUR KEYWORDS: Dealing With Voluntary Structured Cooperation Between Member States., This Proposal Focuses On Malta'S Thematic Objectives For Its Presidency PORTFOLIO: Nutrition, Nutrition and physical activity, Physical Activity Page 2/12
SUMMARY Project abstract Strengthening voluntary cooperation between Member States to improve the health of EU citizens Malta will be holding the Presidency of the EU Council between January and June 2017. As part of this Presidency, Malta will be focusing upon voluntary cooperation between member states in two main areas, which are Structured Cooperation between Health Systems as a mechanism to improve access to innovative and highly specialised services, medicines and technologies and halting the rise of childhood obesity. The general objective of this proposal is the convening of two high level technical workshops bringing together experts from Member States to discuss the identified thematic priorities. These discussions will form two outcome reports that may be used as a basis for the elaboration of Council Conclusions. The Maltese EU Presidency in 2017 will explore the scope of voluntary structured cooperation between Member States, to ensure access to innovative medical technologies as well as provision of highly specialised health services. Political focus will be on the needs of small populations. Two specific areas where sustainable models of structured cooperation could be of particular relevance for small populations are health workforce and medical technology. The scope of cooperation in these fields both between individual Member States as well as within the context of the EU will be further explored in two policy briefs being drawn up as part of this initiative. Tackling childhood obesity will be of EU added value across all MS. Malta has prioritised childhood obesity as one of its thematic priority areas. It is planned to take actions in this area by bringing together technical people and experts from member states working in this area at a technical workshop. To this aim two policy briefs will be developed dealing with identifying evidence-based interventions across Europe to tackle childhood obesity and to develop guidelines for the procurement of school meals. Summary of context, overal objectives,strategic, relevance and contribution of the action 1.1 Structured cooperation between Health Systems Enhancing access to novel or highly specialised services, medicines and technologies 1.2 Childhood Obesity: Halting the Rise 1. Summary of context, overall objectives, strategic relevance and contribution of the action to the health programme 1.1 This work package consisted of the overall coordination of this project. Page 3/12
This project comprised two main components. The first theme covered Structured cooperation between Health Systems and the second theme covered Child Obesity. For the first theme a preparatory meeting which was held on the 17th and 18th October, 2016. This was followed by a workshop on Structured cooperation between Health Systems (enhancing access to novel or highly specialised services, medicines and technologies) which was held on the 1st and 2nd March 2017 at The Palace, Sliema, Malta. Day one had 85 attendees and 80 participants attended the workshop on Day 2. The Maltese EU Presidency in 2017 explored the scope of voluntary structured cooperation between Member States, to ensure access to innovative medical technologies and highly specialised health services. Two specific areas concerning structured cooperation tackled during the workshop, where those of health workforce and medical technology. The scope of cooperation in these fields was further explored in two policy briefs drawn up in collaboration with the assistance of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. One of the policy briefs addressed the value of structured cooperation in procurement of medical technologies/medicines. This policy brief reviewed existing experience in Europe and elsewhere in order to identify the key factors responsible for access problems in the EU, focusing on those that are procurement-related, and the best practice available to address them based on cross-border collaboration. The second brief focused mostly on health workforce challenges in highly specialised health care (HSHC). 1.2 The second theme consisted of a preparatory meeting which was held on the 1st and 2nd December 2016, followed by a workshop on Childhood Obesity: Halting the Rise, which was held on the 22nd and 23rd February 2017 at The Palace, Sliema, Malta. Tackling childhood obesity is of EU added value across all MS. Malta prioritised childhood obesity as one of its thematic priority areas. During the February workshop, technical people and experts in the area from the different Member States came together to work together to combat the problem of childhood obesity. The obesity workshop main focus was on two main areas. One area was the midterm evaluation of the EU childhood obesity action plan 2014-2020 and the other area focused on the development of voluntary healthy food procurement guidelines for schools for use of member states. A promotional video was also produced for each workshop, showing the current state of play, the challenges being faced in the above mentioned areas the various proposals being put forward to resolve these issues. Page 4/12
Methods and means The objectives were attained by: Structured Cooperation between Health Systems : the organisation of a high level technical workshop on the 1st and 2nd of March 2017 in Malta. This took place at The Palace Hotel, Sliema, Malta. During the workshop evidence from the policy briefs was presented, a short video clip was shown and a background paper developed to help in the drafting of the Council Conclusions. Childhood Obesity : the organisation of a high level technical workshop on the 22nd and 23rd February 2017 in Malta. This took place at The Palace Hotel, Sliema. During the workshop evidence from the policy brief was presented, a short video clip was shown and workshops were conducted to discuss options for council conclusions. A background paper developed to help in the drafting of the Council Conclusions. Work performed during the reportingperiod In the preparatory phase, numerous meetings were held by the coordinating group and by each respective working group. Moreover the following preparations were necessary to: Organise the preparatory meetings Invite expert speakers and representatives of member states to participate in the preparatory meetings and the workshops Prepare the agendas, reports and speaking notes Prepare the Policy Briefs Prepare the video clips Liaise with EC and member states Organise and run the workshops Prepare the post-workshop reports Draft the Council Conclusions Prepare for the Informal Ministerial meeting and EPSCO Travel abroad for meetings with EC, experts and member states The main output achieved so far and their potential impact and use by target group (including benefits) Page 5/12
Main outputs from the workshops include: The preparation of the bottom-up approach for the Council Conclusions that were presented during the EPSCO meeting Two Policy Briefs: How can voluntary cross-border collaboration in public procurement improve access to health technologies in Europe? and How can structured cooperation between countries address health workforce challenges related to highly specialized health care?. Policy Brief: Public Procurement of Food for Health: Technical Report on the School Setting. Mid-term evaluation of the European Union Action Plan on Childhood Obesity. On the 16th of June, during the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council meeting health ministers adopted the Council Conclusions on structured cooperation between health systems and on halting the rise in childhood overweight and obesity. Achieved outcomes compared to the expected outcomes All the expected outcomes have been achieved as noted above. Dissemination and evaluation activitiescarried out so far and their major results Preparatory Meeting held on the 17th and 18th October 2016 - Structured Cooperation between Health Systems; Enhancing access to novel or highly specialised-services, medicines & technologies - in Malta. Main work during the preparatory meeting was the drafting of the Policy Briefs and the preparation of the agenda for the workshop. Workshop on the 1st and 2nd March Structured Cooperation between Health Systems; Enhancing access to novel or highly specialised-services, medicines & technologies. The main aim of this workshop was to discuss how to further explore the scope of structured cooperation between Member States in the field of health. During the workshop evidence from the two policy briefs addressing the value of structured cooperation in procurement of medical technologies/medicines as well as training for the delivery of highly specialised services was presented and discussed. Fourth High Level Meeting of Small Countries: building resilient and healthy communities. 26-27 June, Malta. Following the Malta Presidency of the EU Enhancing access to affordable medicine in small countries and Page 6/12
Strengthening the health workforce in small countries were two main themes on the agenda. The 3rd Health Programme A presentation on the outcomes of both the workshops was presented during this dissemination and information seminar organised by the Department of Programme Implementation. Preparatory Meeting held on the 1st and 2nd December - Childhood Obesity: Halting the Rise - in Malta. Main work during the preparatory meeting was the drafting of the Policy Brief on Food Procurement. Workshop on the 22nd and 23rd of February Childhood Obesity: Halting the Rise. The workshop main focus was on two main areas. One area was the midterm evaluation of the EU childhood obesity action plan 2014-2020 and the other area focused on the development of voluntary healthy food procurement guidelines for schools for use of member states. Article on public procurement of food for health for WHO special issue of Public Health Panorama to be published in December 2017. Poster presentation in the International Conference on Childhood Obesity Lisbon 5-8 July 2017 Presentation of outcomes from the workshop during the High Level Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity, Brussels, 31 May 2017 Paper to be published in the Pharmacy Journal: Childhood obesity: a priority area of the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union UEMO Policy Position on the rise of Childhood Obesity across Europe: 17 June 2017 Fourth High Level Meeting of Small Countries Initiative. 26-27 June, Malta. Following the Malta Presidency of the EU Childhood obesity was one of the main themes on the agenda. WHO European Meeting of National NCD Directors and Programme Managers Moscow, Russia 8-9 June 2017. Portuguese national congress on food and municipalities 27-28 June 2017 Guimaraes, Portugal (Accepted to be presented) 27th European Childhood Obesity Group Annual Congress 15-17 November 2017, Rome, Italy Page 7/12
Work package Work Package 1: Coordination and evaluation of the project Start month: 1 End month: 12 Work Package Leader: MFH Coordination of the project is largely based on regular meetings by the steering committee chaired by the Project Leader. The main aim of the meetings is to obtain updates from the two workshop coordinators on their progress and to plan the work that needs to be carried out. There will be continuous systematic monitoring of both workshops through progress reports to make sure all is implemented according to plan. Any obstacles or difficulties are discussed during the meetings. At the end of every workshop a Participant Feedback Sheet will be given to all the participants to be able to evaluate the work done. Work Package 2: Structured Cooperation between Health Systems as a mechanism to improve access to innovative and highly specialised services, medicines and technologies throughout the European Union Start month: 1 End month: 12 Work Package Leader: MFH The project will consist of the preparation of technical and logistical aspects for the high level workshop on structured cooperation between health systems, the organisation of the workshop and follow up to ensure dissemination of the results. The work for this work package will be coordinated by the MT Presidency EU Project Team on Structured Cooperation between Health Systems and monitored by the Project Leader. The work will be implemented by members of the aforesaid EU Project team and subcontractors. Work Package 3: Childhood Obesity: halting the rise Start month: 1 End month: 12 Work Package Leader: MFH Page 8/12
The project will consist of the technical and logistical preparation for of the high level workshop on childhood obesity, the organisation of the workshop and follow up to ensure dissemination of the results. This work package will be coordinated by the MT Presidency EU Project Team on Childhood obesity under the supervision of the Project Leader. The work will be implemented by members of the aforesaid EU Project team and subcontractors. The Action Plan on Childhood Obesity launched during the Greek Presidency in February 2014 aims to contribute to halting the rise in overweight and obesity in children and young people (0-18 years) by 2020. The plan recommends eight action areas. To achieve the goal of this action plan, participation of a wide range of stakeholders is needed through a whole of government and whole of society approach. The action plan calls for a mid-term review. Malta in collaboration with the Commission will utilize findings from the mid term report being outlined by the commission to highlight evidence-based interventions to promote healthy diets and physical activity aimed at preventing childhood obesity and identifies key areas of action where further action is required. This will be presented at the high level technical workshop. Page 9/12
COORDINATOR, LEADER CONTACT AND PARTNERS COORDINATOR Ministry for Health - Government of Malta (MEH) Palazzo Castellania, 15 Merchants Street VLT 1171 Valletta Malta WEBSITE: http://www.ehealth.gov.mt Project leader contact Name: GRECH Kenneth Email: kenneth.grech@gov.mt Phone: PARTNERS No partners related to the current project Page 10/12
OUTPUTS Coordination and evaluation of the project MFH Strengthening voluntary cooperation between Member States to improve the health of EU citizens (Malta 2017) Published on: 06/11/2017 The project leader will ensure that the deliverables listed in WP2 and WP3 are delivered as stipulated. The main theme will be converted into a short video clip for dissemination. Structured Cooperation between Health Systems as a mechanism to improve access to innovative and highly specialised services, medicines and technologies throughout the European Union MFH Strengthening voluntary cooperation between Member States to improve the health of EU citizens (Malta 2017) Published on: 06/11/2017 Policy Brief 1 This brief will be sub-contracted to a third party. It will explore the specific challenges for Member States in ensuring access to innovative products, especially where there is a lack of market interest due to small markets, either geographically or clinically. Based on a review of evidence and experience in various countries this policy brief will assess the potential of addressing these challenges through joint procurement and alternative approaches, lay out the various options with their pros and cons and explore ways in which the EU can help to facilitate this process across countries. The authors will also look at the more practical aspects of setting up a joint tendering process, but also at alternative forms of bi- or multilateral cooperation to ensure availability of medical products on small markets (e.g. multi-lingual packaging, information sharing). Policy Brief 2 - This brief will be sub-contracted to a third party. It will explore the concept of structured cooperation between Member States to address the provision of highly specialized services across the EU with a specific focus on health professionals. Rare diseases, infrequent complications of common conditions, complex procedures, new inter-disciplinary service teams and cutting edge technology require highly skilled specialized health care professionals for delivering training and services. However, these highly specialized health professionals may not always be available and training will take time. Therefore structured cooperation between Member States provides a solution to fill the gap: highly Page 11/12
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) specialist training cycles abroad, bilateral agreements, common training frameworks, staff secondment, pan European continuous medical education are examples for structured cooperation between countries. Structured cooperation serves health systems and patients and can be facilitated by the European mobility frameworks. The policy brief will present policy options in structured cooperation for the European Union, Member States and Managers. High level technical workshop A draft agenda for the workshop is appended (Appendix B). The workshop will be organised at The Palace Hotel, Sliema, Malta. Apart from the participants from various member states, around ten international experts will be invited to attend to support and facilitate the plenary and parallel sessions. Dissemination of outcomes report The outcomes report from the workshop will be disseminated on the Presidency website and also through social media. The outcomes report will be presented at a gathering of Health Ministers. Childhood Obesity: halting the rise MFH Strengthening voluntary cooperation between Member States to improve the health of EU citizens (Malta 2017) Published on: 06/11/2017 In the absence of procurement guidelines, many public bodies and entities are obliged to go for the lowest priced contractor, which however could give rise to fewer people taking up the meals and to the lack of availability of nutritious meals. Malta, in collaboration with the High level group on nutrition and physical activity and the Jiont Research Centre, will develop voluntary public procurement guidelines for food for schools in the form of policy brief. High level technical workshop A draft agenda for the workshop is appended (Appendix C). The workshop will be organised at The Palace Hotel, Sliema, Malta. International and local experts will be invited to attend to support and facilitate the plenary and workshop sessions. Dissemination of outcomes report The outcomes report from the workshop will be disseminated on the Presidency website and also through social media. The outcomes report will be presented at a gathering of Health Ministers. Page 12/12