Patient advocacy organisations are first and foremost credible representatives of patients' interests to the outside world. They are most often established by people affected by the disease or their families. They are formed out of a need to act together and to share experiences and knowledge gained during the fight against the illness. They are about self-help, but also about initiating appropriate system changes.
In view of the founders' guiding objectives, most of them focus on disseminating knowledge about specific diseases, both in terms of prevention and treatment. The personal stories contributing to the founding of the organisation mean that, in addition to sharing knowledge - it is equally common to provide psychological support to patients or their relatives. The most important thing is to act together, which is why in February 2020 the Patient Ombudsman established the Council of Patients' Organisationsto which nearly 100 foundations and associations currently belong.
"The organisations provide me with current problems and demands from patients, but above all they support me in developing positions on current situations related to the functioning of the healthcare system. This has also proved to be extremely valuable during the epidemic. I would like to thank all representatives of non-governmental organisations for their contribution to help and do good things for patients," emphasises Bartłomiej Chmielowiec - Ombudsman for Patients' Rights.
Watch the video in which the Patient Ombudsman and representatives of the Council of Patient Organisations talk about effective collaboration.
Source: www.gov.pl/web/rpp