The EU is required to ensure that a high level of human health protection is part of all of its policies. The EU Health Programme aims to support this requirement and to complement, support and add value to the policies of EU countries.
The programme has three overarching objectives. It seeks to:
1. improve citizens' health security, promoting actions related to patient safety through high quality and safe healthcare, scientific advice and risk assessment, safety and quality of organs, substances of human origin and blood;
2. promote health and reduce health inequalities, increasing healthy life years and promoting healthy ageing; and
3. generate and disseminate health information and knowledge, exchanging knowledge and best practice on health issues.
2012 Work Programme: now published
Opportunities to apply for EU funding under the European Commission Health Programme are now open.
The European Commission has published its 2012 work plan under the EU Public Health Programme. This year’s work plan prioritises funding for projects, a move away from the priority given to joint actions last year, and provides a number of opportunities for NHS organisations to participate. The proposed budget includes EUR 13.17million to fund projects, EUR 8.95million for joint actions, and EUR 0.8million for conferences.
The NHS European Office has produced a briefing for NHS organisations on this call, which can be downloaded here.
The deadline for submission of proposals is 9 March 2012.
Full details of this year’s call may be found on the European Commission website here.
The Department of Health will be holding a seminar in London to highlight opportunities available under the 2012 Programme later in January. This seminar will be free to attend and open to all interested parties. Those interested in attending should contact Arthur.White@dh.gsi.gov.uk.
For further information on this EU funding programme, please contact: hazel.baird@nhsconfed.org.
EU Health for Growth Programme 2014 - 2020
On 9 November 2011, the European Commission announced its proposals for the new Health for Growth Programme for 2014 – 2020. The new programme will replace the current 2008-13 Health Programme, the final call for which will be in 2013.
The Health for Growth Programme aims to build on the achievements of the 2008-13 Health Programme and better enable health to contribute to economic growth and the Europe 2020 objectives.
It has four main objectives:
- Objective 1: Developing innovative and sustainable health systems;
- Objective 2: Increasing access to better and safer healthcare for citizens;
- Objective 3: Promoting health and preventing disease; and
- Objective 4: Protecting citizens from cross-border health threats
It has an increased budget of €446million (up from €321.5 million in 2008-13) of which: 50% will fund Objective 1, 22% will fund Objective 2, 22% will fund Objective 3, and the remainder will fund Objective 4.
Objective 1 will be particularly significant for the NHS as it will fund actions to increase uptake of innovation in healthcare through HTA and eHealth, as well as expertise on healthcare reforms and support to the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. It will also cover forecasting demand for health professionals in Member States.
The programme is due to start at the beginning of 2014 and run until the end of 2020.
As with the current Programme, funds will be awarded through:
- Grants for action co-financed by competent authorities responsible for public health in Member States i.e. joint actions, and with international health organisations
- Grants to support NGOs and Procurement contracts
Grants for joint actions will be the area where there will be most opportunities for the NHS, grants usually funding up to 60% of the costs of the project/action.
Discussions for the new proposal will take place in the European Council and the European Parliament from December 2011. The first discussion will take place in the Council on 1 and 2 December.
There will be two further calls under the current Health Programme, one in 2012 and a final call in 2013. The call for 2012 is likely to be made at the end of December.
For further information on this coming call, please contact: hazel.baird@nhsconfed.org.