CPME adopts during the Steering Group meeting chaired by Commissioners Dalli and Kroes, the first Strategic Implementation Plan on Active and Healthy Ageing

“The CPME welcomes the adoption of the Strategic Implementation Plan on Active and Healthy Ageing and as a member of the Steering Group that delivered this plan, I welcome inter-DG cooperation and encourage future European Innovation Partnerships. Both the Strategic and the Operational aspects of the implementation plan should provide an impetus for more horizontal cooperation that is effective. All Steering Group members are accountable for this decision and should deliver on the promise to be good ambassadors of active and healthy ageing as well as contribute to adding two extra active and healthy life years by 2020. Older people and their contribution to society is a value that the general public should be made aware of and keep in high esteem. European doctors are happy to contribute to this ambitious plan.“

CPME President, Dr Konstanty Radziwill

At the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing Steering Group meeting on 7 November 2011, CPME adopted together with the other 32 members, the Strategic Implementation Plan on Active and Healthy Ageing which aims to shift the paradigm of ageing and add two extra healthy and active life years to the EU population by 2020. The three main strategic pillars identified were: (A) prevention, screening and early-diagnosis, (B) care and cure and (C) active ageing and independent living.

The CPME Statement on the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing sets out main points for action for a successful planning and execution of the Strategic Implementation Plan. CPME suggests identifying pathways for piloting that have established clinical management, role identification, measurable outcomes and a degree of patient involvement. While “hard” evidence of improved outcomes is essential, “soft” evidence is also important. There is at least enough "soft" evidence to include more qualitative assessments, such as independence, increased confidence in self-management, and reduced isolation. Workforce issues of health professionals, as well as innovative technologies, a sustainable health policy even in times of financial crises for the health care systems are decisive elements for any strategy of the innovative partnership from the doctors’ point of view.

At the National Medical Associations’ (NMA) level, CPME recommends that NMAs contribute to the main objective of the partnership, as indicated by the Strategic Implementation Plan as well as by drawing government attention to the economic return from investing in healthcare and tackling demographic changes. The recommendation includes also disseminating the Strategic Implementation Plan to relevant regional and national health authorities and partner for the benefit of patients.

All CPME Policy documents are available at: http://www.cpme.eu/policy.php

For more information, please contact:

Birgit BEGER CPME Secretary General Tel.: +32 2 732 72 02 Fax: +32 2 732 73 44 e-mail: secretariat@cpme.eu