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Monthly Newsletter edited by Cittadinanzattiva-Active Citizenship Network
Civic Activism | Patients' Rights | Consumers' Rights | Support ACN
Year 5th, number 48 - May, June 2017

SPECIAL EDITION ON THE RIGHT TO AVOID
UNNECESSARY SUFFERING AND PAIN

Highlight

A Good Day For Pain Patients! Health Ministers Call for Action on Access to Treatment for Patients suffering from Chronic Pain
The Council of the European Union on Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs adopted its conclusions on “Encouraging Member States-driven Voluntary Cooperation of Health Systems”. Under the leadership of the Maltese Presidency, the Health Ministers have agreed that it is time to evaluate access to treatment for patients with chronic pain, while recognising the need to maintain the balance between innovation, availability, accessibility and affordability. Read the press release

Focus

Celebrated the Award Ceremony of the First EU Civic Price on Chronic Pain
On the 8th of June 2017 Active Citizenship Network (ACN) awarded the 4 winners of the EU Civic Price on Chronic Pain. The event was celebrated in Malta in the framework of the Societal Impact of Pain (SIP) Simposyum 2017 at the presence of H.E. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta. Read more

The winner for the category CLINICAL PRACTICES is the Good Practice number 3:
"Physical activity in women with fibromyalgia: the al-Ándalus project" from the Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain. See the video presentation of this Good Practice N. 3

The winner for the category PATIENTS’ EMPOWERMENT is the Good Practice number 21:
"At lessons from the expert patients: advices for the physicians to improve their care of cluster headache patients" from the Alleanza Cefalalgici Cluster, European Headache Alliance, Italy. See the video presentation of this Good Practice N. 21

The winner for the category INNOVATION is the Good Practice number 12:
"Non pharmacological treatment of chronic pain: a multimodal approach." from San Raffaele Hospital, Italy.
See the video presentation of this Good Practice N.12

The winner for the category PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION is the Good Practice number 16:
"Patients as Teachers in Health Professional Education" from the Pelvic Pain Support Network (PPSN), UK.
See the video presentation of this Good Practice N. 16

More information
See all the videos of the winning good practices
Look at the photos and watch the SIP video of the ceremony (from the minute 4.45)
All the Good Practices received has been collected and published within this final Report.
Press release of the Prize Ceremony

Local news
The Sunday Times of Malta
The Malta Indipendent on line
The special supplement "Salute" (Health) of the 16 June 2016 of the daily newspaper "La Repubblica" Italy
Interview on Italian Television citing the Award Ceremony (link in Italian)

President of Malta gives speech on the EU Civic Prize On Chronic Pain
“It is my pleasure to open this award ceremony, celebrating the European Union Civic Prize. I would like to commend all the participants, for their contributions to this research project, to collect good practices, upon which the European Civic Prize on Chronic Pain has been established”. Watch the video and read her speech

Outcomes of SIP 2017

Expert Group on the Social Impact of Pain within the EU Health Policy Platform
In the occasion of the final press conference of the Societal Impact of Pain Symposium (SIP 2017) held in Malta on the 9th of June, Martin Seychell, Deputy Director General DG SANTE, formally announced the launch of the Expert Group on the Social Impact of Pain within the EU Health Policy Platform. The Expert Group aims at building a bridge between health systems, pain stakeholders and policy makers, the inclusion of pain in the council conclusions highlights an increasing understanding by European institutions and Member States of the need to act now to help the one in five EU citizens suffering from chronic pain. Read more

World Health Organisation (WHO) proposes new definition of chronic pain, giving hope to patients
The global institution setting health policy standards,the WHO has proposed a new definition of ‘chronic pain’ which could see care for pain patients improve significantly. Dr Robert Jakob, Medical Officer at the WHO speaking at the Societal Impact of Pain (SIP) symposium, gave a preview of the new definition and its implications. Read more

More information:
See the final press conference
The final SIP press release with Recommendations
The involvement of Active Citizenship Network in SIP 2017
Impressions SIP Symposium 2017 and videos (Day 1 e Day 2)

Presented the “Pain Euro-Mediterranean Coalition” the first civic Hub-incubator of best practices against pain across Europe
To contribute to make the invisible visible on chronic pain, Active Citizenship Network and the Spanish Foundation “Sine Dolore” have promoted the “Pain Euro-Mediterranean Coalition”: an agora of operators of good practices on pain, to encourage the exchange of experiences among health professionals, healthcare providers, Institutions, civic associations and Patient Advocacy Groups. The initiative was promoted first in Minorca in May and then in Malta in June. Read more and see the video interview with Mariano Votta (ES language).

Events

September 6-9 Copenhagen (Denmark): 10th Congress of the European Pain Federation, EFIC®
This 10th Congress of the European Pain Federation, EFIC® (EFIC 2017) will shine a spotlight on current trends and future ​developments in pain medicine. It will take place in Copenhagen, from 6-9 September 2017, and the scientific programme will provide delegates with unmatched access to the latest knowledge and research of the world’s leading pain experts through its fascinating sessions and practical courses. The Congress will also feature sessions on pain policy and interactions with patients’ organisations. ​​​Read more

October 20-22 Minorca (Spain): VI Multidisciplinary Pain Meeting MASTER CLASS
This year, on the basis of success of the previous experiences, the EMNIPRE (European Multidisciplinary Network in Pain Research and Education) has decided to celebrate the VI Multidisciplinary Pain Meeting opening it to any doctor of any specialty with interest in the treatment of their patients' pain. Read more

Credits
Director and Editor in chief: Mariano Votta
Editors: Daniela Quaggia & Sonia Belfiore
Coordination and Production: Giacomo D'Orazio

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