17 SEPTEMBER 2013

EAHP launches major new initiative to increase hospital pharmacy service standards in Europe

Unique collaboration between patients and professionals

The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) has announced a major new initiative, the European Summit on Hospital Pharmacy, which aims to provide the foundation for long term development of hospital pharmacy services in Europe, and the continual improvement of patient care and outcomes in the hospital setting.

The Summit will take place in Brussels in May 2014, and will focus on the following goals:

• to put forward recommendations on the role and competencies of hospital pharmacists for ever-changing European healthcare systems, building on the work of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) 2008 Global Statements (“the Basel Statements”);
• to engage patients and other health professionals as equal partners in deciding the future direction of the hospital pharmacy profession in Europe; and,
• to develop a strong implementation focus by highlighting examples of Good Practice Initiatives in hospital pharmacy development already achieved across Europe; proposing a system of hospital pharmacy service metrics; and, issuing implementation guidance to help every country achieve step changes in the level and standard at which hospital pharmacy operates.

Launching the Summit at a special event at the FIP Congress in Dublin, EAHP President Dr Roberto Frontini said:

“With financial and demographic challenges for health services across Europe, combined with uneven development in standards and adoption of new technology, now is the time for EAHP to give leadership through the European Summit on Hospital Pharmacy. By asking doctors, nurses and patients for their views on the future of hospital pharmacy services, we can ensure shared aspirations are identified and advanced.

This initiative is bold, exciting, and can be truly transformative in giving European hospital pharmacy its future direction.”

EAHP Board Member Aida Batista, leading the review of the FIP Basel Statements for application to Europe, said:

“The 2008 FIP Basel Statements on hospital pharmacist roles and competencies are an excellent basis for developing an international understanding of what hospital pharmacy can deliver. However, there is value in clarifying, specifying and expanding these for Europe. We will therefore commence a Delphi consultation process with nominated representatives from EAHP’s 34 Member countries, and interested patient and professional groups. This will find out not only what hospital pharmacists want as the future of their service, but what the recipients of those services desire as well.”

EAHP has now issued a call for involvement in the Summit process to its 34 Member Associations and European patient and health professional organisations, with an initial deadline for response of 16 October 2013.

ENDS

For further information contact info[at]eahp[dot]eu, 00 322 741 6835 or 00 44 7895 292 076

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. EAHP is an association of national organisations representing hospital pharmacists at European and international levels. More information about the EAHP and its history here.

2. The European Summit on Hospital Pharmacy will be held at the Diamant Business Centre in Brussels on 14-15 May 2014. More information about the Summit is available here.

3. Videos from the Summit launch event are available here. Photographs from the Summit launch event are available here.

4. EAHP’s decision to host such a Summit arises from both its guiding mission of “developing the hospital pharmacy profession within Europe in order to ensure the continuous improvement of care and outcomes for patients in the hospital setting” as well as an observed need to address uneven practice development arising from the EAHP Survey 2010. In a presentation at the Summit launch event, Dr Roberto Frontini expands on the origins of the Summit. See video here (part1) & here (part2)

5. Five working groups are currently preparing the material and key statement areas for review and consideration by the Summit. In summary these are:

Working Group 1 - Ensuring wide engagement in the Summit, overseeing Summit organisation.

Working Group 2 - Reviewing the 2008 FIP Basel Statements on global hospital pharmacy competence, to update for subsequent development and ensure a strong European relevance.

Working Group 3 - Assessing and considering what constitutes best practice in hospital pharmacy in the European context and ensuring that highlighted examples of best practice can be presented in such a manner that every health system in Europe can identify how such improvement can be achieved in a country.

Working Group 4 - Investigating the merit, need and form of any potential metric system for monitoring hospital pharmacy service quality, impact and value.

Working Group 5 - Outlining a suggested improvement implementation framework for hospital pharmacy in Europe.

6. EAHP Policy and Advocacy Officer Richard Price explains in this launch presentation, what will happen at the Summit, and the Summit voting method.