Action
Uehp, European Union of Private Hospitals, based in the heart of the European institutional district in Brussels, was created in 1971 and counts 15 members, representing 4500 hospitals. It’s main goals are to defend and represent independent hospitals all over Europe. The private sector has its own place and function within the regional and national hospitals network and it is involved in the social dialogue, intended to promote the hospitals sector within the framework of a global health policy. Accepting the same obligations as the public hospital sector, it is entitled to the same rights. The private hospital sector is the indispensable tool for a medicine in the service of the patient. This baring in mind three important principles: free access, equity, quality and economic sustainability of health services.
The use of those fundamental principles, which include all the political and economical health issues, proves that in the European Union the awareness of the patients' rights, must be defended in practice and not only in theory. Following the last regulation proposals from the European Institutions in the health field, Uehp is in favour of Patient mobility and liberalisation of the services in the Internal market. The recommendations of the Uehp are often presented in response to the consultations of the European Commission or as a result from interaction with other European institutions, like the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee. The Uehp is also a member of the Health Policy Forum of the DG Sanco. Dr. Max Ponseillé, since 2005 is Uehp’s new president, former President of the French Federation of Independent Hospitals. One of his priorities is to promote the organisation of a more human and personalised medicine focused on patients' needs.