BRUXELLES, 28-29/11/2024 — The Transforming Health & Care Systems (THCS) Partnership convened its second Annual Conference on November 28 and 29 in Brussels at the Committee of the Region. The two-day event brought together experts and stakeholders from across Europe to discuss groundbreaking initiatives in health system transformation, offering participants a unique platform to explore innovative projects, cross-sector collaboration, and strategies to overcome shared challenges.
The conference, organized by ProMIS in its capacity of leader of THCS’s Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation activities, featured an opening keynote speech by the italian Ministry of Health and the Directorate for Research and Innovation of the European Commission followed by four distinct sessions:
1° “Understanding transformation of health and care systems: how to translate theory into practice”
The session explored diverse contributions to health system transformation from multiple perspectives. The academic viewpoint emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking, supported by structured frameworks and extensive expertise across Europe. Institutional efforts highlighted EU initiatives advancing integrated care and digital health solutions, focusing on primary care reforms in various countries. Patient engagement was a central theme, stressing the vital role of patients and caregivers in shaping health systems, with tools designed to measure and enhance their participation. Practitioner innovations showcased projects examining the health benefits of natural environments, addressing inequities, and offering scalable, evidence-based solutions. Together, these perspectives underscored the value of collaboration in driving meaningful improvements in health systems.
2° “Unlocking Health & Care systems transformation: the role of regional and local authorities in boosting health ecosystems”
The second panel discussion highlighted key aspects of regional leadership and innovation in health systems. Principles such as engagement and transparency were emphasized as essential for transformative ecosystems, with a focus on integrating projects into existing health systems. The Basque Health Ecosystem showcased efforts in personalized health and addressing aging challenges, supported by a mix of public and competitive funding sources. Cross-border collaboration was also discussed, featuring projects like FRIDHA, which facilitate cooperation between hospitals across borders to enhance patient care.
3° Presentation of THCS‘ JTC 2023 Funded Projects
Four projects funded under the 2023 Joint Transnational Call (JTC) showcased innovative solutions to pressing health challenges. TransCare focused on improving transitional care for older adults through AI-driven assistance, while IDjaundice@home developed tools for early detection of neonatal jaundice, reducing reliance on hospital care. ICAREWOUNDS introduced AI-powered models to enhance chronic wound care and improve patient outcomes, and Digital-CACTUS created digital tools to optimize chronic disease management with a patient-centric approach.
4° Shaping the Future: A Dialogue on EU Partnerships in Health
The final session centered on fostering collaboration and synergies among various EU-funded health initiatives, aiming to address common challenges, explore potential partnerships, and enhance cooperation across health systems. Discussions highlighted the importance of combining top-down leadership with broad commitment from experts, patients, and citizens at all health system levels. Panelists from initiatives such as the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI), ERA4Health, One Health AMR, and JANFP4Health shared insights on aligning efforts, building synergies, and minimizing overlaps in research and innovation. Practical actions were also explored, including joint training, creating actionable roadmaps, and aligning research topics and funding calls. The session underscored the need for clear communication, with participants advocating for mechanisms like the Interpartnership Assembly to improve coordination across initiatives.
Please find on this webpage the PPT presentations and the meeting agenda.