Social Care Awards 2017

4 | ghp Social Care Awards 2017 Excellence in European Healthcare Active since 1982, EHMA’s focus is on health management capacity and capabilities and on supporting the successful implementation of health policy and practice, so as to make a real difference to the lives of Europe’s 500 million citizens. What truly sets it apart is that EHMA is the only membership organization in Europe to bring together health managers, health professionals, policy makers, researchers and educators. The organisation provides an environment where evidence, challenge and experience are valued and complex debates on current topics take place. With a secretariat located in the heart of Europe, EHMA maximizes its impact by placing its membership of over 130 members in 38 countries at the heart of all that it does. In order to make a real difference, EHMA is principally focussed on the ‘how’ rather than the ‘what’ of healthcare. This focus on implementation has behind it the twin aims of improving the take up and successful implementation of health improvement programmes and spreading this learning back into the realms of health policy, education and training. As part of this approach, the organisation engages in cutting edge research with some of the top research associations in Europe, with a focus on engagement and dissemination. In addition, it works to support healthcare delivery to ensure it is as good as the best in Europe, through networking, events and projects. Three interrelated approaches make up the firm’s overall strategy. First EHMA use critical dissemination platforms such as its Annual Conference to showcase current change programmes. This is subsequently expanded out into work streams that take a subject focus to problem solve particular policy implementation challenges and creative vehicles for knowledge exchange, without forgetting the role EHMA plays in providing policy makers with important evaluative feedback from its Members. The organisation then uses its uses its effective networking skills and competencies as a platform to facilitate the dissemination of health policy and practice, again using the most up to date technologies. The third element of EHMA’s competency framework is the development of engagement tools and techniques that range from focus groups and surveys and conferences and working groups. Through its education, management and training work EHMA is providing a unique forum for Europe’s leading academic institutions to review, initiate and develop the highest quality health management programmes. However, what really makes a difference is the organisations work amending policy in the region. As part of this EHMA writes reports, provides expert commentary and maintaining a dialogue between policy makers and front line delivery agencies, which improves understanding and take up and facilitates policy refinement and change. The organisation also offers an innovative yearly event, the EHMA Annual Conference, an international knowledge sharing event. It is a meeting place where, according to EHMA’s vision statement evidence, challenge and experience are valued and the “unthinkable” can be discussed. Participants coming from all around Europe and beyond will have the opportunity to bring and share their knowledge - derived from academic work and practical experience - and explore fundamental managerial and policy issues. This informative and coveted event brings together policy makers, health managers, health professionals, educators and heads of research programmes. The conference is characterised by international speakers and high quality The European Health Management Association (EHMA) is a non-profit membership organisation open to all those committed to improving health and healthcare. We profile this vital and dynamic organisation and explore the crucial work it undertakes. sponsor