A background for national quality policies in health systems

Abstract

The improvement of quality is, for most countries, central to the reform of health systems and service delivery. All countries face challenges to ensure access, equity, safety and participation of patients, and to develop skills, technology and evidence-based medicine within available resources. The first part of this document outlines some of the values, forms and concepts which affect national approaches, together with the international influences of the Council of Europe, European Union and the WHO Regional Office. The second part offers a framework and principles for a national quality strategy. This gives examples of policy, organization, methods and resources which have been applied to the institutionalisation of quality by Member States. The appendices include a summary of recommendations from expert advisers on behalf of the Council of Europe and of WHO Europe. There is also a self-assessment tool to help identify existing mechanisms and future opportunities for quality improvements, as well as references to relevant publications and websites.