UEHP - European Union of Private Hospitals

Introduction to the Congress

Member States have got difficulties to find efficient solutions to reform the different national health systems. Negociations related to the directive on patients' mobility in Europe failed in December 2009 and discussions still go on within the European Parliament and the Council.

By holding its European congress, the private hospitalisation aimed to fully contribute to the European debate by bringing its experience in management and training.

Private hospitalisation showed its compentences in Member States such as, France, Germany or Italy. In a competitive environment, private hospitals make sure their public service mission is efficient, with respect of accessibility, equity and universality.

Therefore, the European Congress held in Paris by the European Union of Private Hospitals (UEHP) on 27th and 28th May 2010 «Towards a Europe for health: free choice, efficiency, and quality of healthcare» had a major importance for our association, for the health professionals and for the general public. This two-days congress aimed to demonstrate why Europe needs private hospitals. More than 400 participants attended the event, representing the political, academic and health circles.

Mme Bachelot-Narquin stated several times her great recognition for private hospitalisation and supported this first European Congress. For Max Ponseillé, President of UEHP, « Hospital is unique ».

More than 400 participants attended the debates representing European Institutions, such as Mr. John Bowis, previous Health Minister in the UK, Ms Isabel de la Mata, principal adviser at the European Commission, Mr. Sean Van Raepenbusch, Judge at the CJCE, several Members of the European Parliament such as Dr Antonyia Parvanova, Ms Licia Ronzulli, Karin Kadenbach and Cristina Gutierrez Cortines. Finally, national experts also attended the Congress such as Ms Grace-Marie Turner, President of Institut Galen and Pr. Gabriele Pelissero, Vice President of AIOP.