Network presents implementation framework at European health management conference in Rome’

Helena Wilcox and Jessica Hooper from The Health Policy Partnership, which acts as Secretariat to the Network, introduced the implementation framework as a robust tool that facilitates a detailed assessment of a health system’s readiness for implementation.

During the session, each presenter had the opportunity to showcase a different health systems approach – for example, in mental health or in care for older people – that has been used to inform policy and decision-making. The session closed with a discussion on the broader role that frameworks can have in helping health systems embed new programmes or innovations into practice.

Session attendees were keen to discuss:

• the specific challenges that many health systems face when looking to implement new programmes, such as issues relating to workforce capacity
• the changes in health system requirements that may arise from programmes for prevention or early detection
• how to plan for all changes effectively.

In other conference sessions, we heard from colleagues from across Europe and beyond, who discussed innovations in health policy and management. Our key takeaways were:

• Policy discussions in many arenas, including those external to health, are necessary to ensure that health systems are sustainable.
• Examples of good practice across individual health facilities must translate to organisations, health systems and national policy to expand innovation in health management.

The annual EHMA conference brings together health managers and leaders, healthcare professionals, hospital managers, researchers, academics and policymakers. The theme for this year’s conference was ‘sustainable solutions for complex systems’. By applying the Network’s implementation framework, countries can plan for an effective, equitable and high-quality lung cancer screening programme that is sustainable in the long term.

The Network was delighted to connect with many colleagues at the EHMA conference, and we look forward to joining upcoming discussions on lung cancer, including those that will take place at the 44th International Conference on Screening for Lung Cancer, which the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP) is running in Verona, Italy, on 28–30 June 2023.

In the meantime, you can explore the Network’s implementation framework and online toolkit and sign up to our newsletter for regular news and updates.