The past twelve months have seen a big boost in EAHP activities and an increase of staff number of fifty percent! In March 2008, the congress was still handled by a Professional Congress Organiser, it is now in-sourced and entirely managed by EAHP staff and Board; the team expended from two staff members to four and the Brussels office had to move to accommodate the personnel. Two new Board members joined the EAHP team in June 2008, sharing the title of Director of Professional Development: Tony West and Juraj Sykora have taken on several responsibilities supporting the growth of the organisation.

EAHP also went from five projects running in parallel to more than ten, which range from developing patient safety policies to participating in an EMEA working group of health–care professionals, from reflecting on the content of pharmacy studies, to developing the interoperability of computer software in hospitals, and establishing an EAHP Communication working group. And as you know, the EAHP President was honoured with the Donald E. Francke medal at the 2008 ASHP mid-year meeting in Orlando see (see EJHP - P, issue 2, 2009 “in my opinion”).

Notwithstanding minor adjustments, EAHP is looking forward to delivering improved services to its members while still keeping its priorities in focus.