The European Commission views patient safety as a priority and has taken several steps to promote it. These include establishing a patient safety working group, funding projects like EUNetPaS, and adopting a recommendation that encourages member states to develop national patient safety policies, empower patients, establish reporting systems, promote a culture of safety, and conduct research. While progress has been made, more work is still needed at the member state level, and the EU aims to play a supportive role through knowledge sharing, best practices, and continued coordination across Europe.

1. Patient Safety: A Priority for the European Commission Mr Lee McGill Health Strategy & Health Systems Unit DG SANCO European Commission Towards Better Cancer Care in Europe: The ESMO MOSES III Survey, Panel 2 Brussels, 15 October 2008

6. A role for the EU? Q 59