Conference on
European Standards of Care for Children with Cancer
Joint Polish Ministry of Health - SIOPE event
20-21 October 2011
Warsaw – Poland
SIOPE initiated the European Standards of Care for Children with Cancer project in order to improve the quality of care of children and adolescents with cancer as well as to assess the relevant organisational aspects in paediatric oncology. We were delighted to partner with the Polish Ministry of Health to host a workshop on the need for such ‘Standards of Care’ for children and adolescents with cancer across Europe, in October 2011 in Warsaw, Poland, as part of the EU Polish Presidency.
Through the EU-funded European Partnership for Action against Cancer (EPAAC) initiative, the Polish Ministry of Health and SIOP Europe joined forces to disseminate standards that were created by an expert multidisciplinary, multi-professional "care team" which included paediatric oncologists, nurses, parent and patient advocates, psychologists, physiotherapists, social workers, play therapists and lawyers, at a conference in Poland on 20 and 21 October 2011. Prof. Jerzy Kowalczyk from the Children’s University Hospital Lublin in Poland worked closely with the Polish Ministry of Health to invite the 27 EU Member State health ministries to participate and discuss the implementation of such standards at national level, along with members of the European paediatric oncology community and patient and parent groups.
To find out more about the event and to view the presentations, see below.
To download the standards in multiple languages, here.
Conference Summary
The Polish Minister of Health, Dr. Ewa Kopacz, opened the conference by underlining her support for this meeting, both within the framework of EPAAC but also of the EU Presidency held by Poland. She reiterated Poland’s dedication to improving inequalities in Europe and the centrality of child health, which were key priorities of the Presidency. Dr. Kopacz also emphasised the importance of early diagnosis in the treatment of cancer in children. “In the majority of cases, cancer in children is treatable. At present, two thirds of children and young people have the chance of full recovery, and with some tumours this percentage exceeds 90%. The chances largely depend on the knowledge, experience, and medical intuition of general practitioners, and on early diagnosis,” said the Minister.
There was also a video message from Polish Member of the European Parliament, Sidonia Jędrzejewska, who stressed the need for the universal availability of expertise and infrastructure in order for children and adolescents with cancer to receive optimal treatment and care and her commitment to support this initiative.
MEP Dr. Jedrezjewska commented after the conference,“The burden of cancer in Europe is very large, and thus we should focus on the education of the medical staff and intensification of scientific research. Equally important is the development of standards in all the EU countries, that ensure both sick and cured people an equal access to medical services as well as the best standard of life after illness. The European Parliament can do a lot here, contributing to the implementation of new, more effective regulations."
Other presentations included case studies from Bulgaria, Russia, Germany and Portugal, from the professional perspective, as well as insights into the situation from the parent and patient perspective in Poland, Romania and the UK.
Conference organiser, Paediatric Oncology National Consultant in Poland Prof. Jerzy Kowalczyk, concluded, "It is clear that significant progress has been made since the last conference in 2009. Numerous presenters indicated that standards in their country and or unit had improved in recent years which should be commended."
SIOPE President, Associate Prof. Ruth Ladenstein noted, "At the first meeting, there were no policymakers and when looking to the event, taking place within the EU Presidency of Poland and hosted by the Ministry of Health, at least 15 representatives of national ministries were represented. There is still a long way to go however, even in Poland as presented by Prof. Walentya Balwierz but improvements are being made, although slower than anticipated."
More information:
Speaker Presentations:
Day One, Session One: Opening Session
Day One, Session Two: National Perspectives on Standards of Care for Children with Cancer
Day Two, Session One: Inequalities in Accessibility to Optimal Treatment ad Care for Childhood Cancer patients in Europe
Day Two, Session Two: Panel Discussion on Implementation