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At its meeting on 17 June 2006 in Brussels, the CPME Board adopted the following Resolutions:

At its meeting on 17 June 2006 in Brussels, the CPME Board adopted the following  Resolutions:

    1. CPME Resolution on health care in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (EN, FR):

In the light of the deterioration of health care in Gaza and the West Bank, caused in part by the suspension of aid from the EU, the CPME welcomes the recent announcement to restore and increase the level of aid.

Recognising that restrictions on financial aid should not damage the health of the citizens of the countries affected, the CPME calls on the EU to ensure that medicine and medical equipment remain exempt from restrictions imposed on any country.

   2. Because of the current situation in The Netherlands, where a Health insurance company has recently proposed to offer incentives to General Practitioners CPME Board adopted a Resolution on Safeguarding Professional Autonomy of Doctors (EN FR):

• CPME reiterates its position (CP 1999/020 Final) that it is of paramount importance to protect the principle of professional autonomy of physicians. Professional autonomy is first of all intended to protect the rights of patients.

• Professional autonomy implies that physicians can deviate from professional guidelines when needed, and that they are prepared to account for any deviation.

• Where treatment alternatives exist, physicians must pay proper attention to cost-effectiveness, always considering the best medical interests of the patient.

• CPME recommends that physicians refrain from contacts, alliances and associations that might create a conflict with their professional responsibilities.

• CPME calls upon other stakeholders to refrain from providing incentives that might unduly influence physicians’ professional decision-making.

All CPME Policy documents are available at: http://www.cpme.eu/policy.php

For more information, contact:

Secretary General, Lisette TIDDENS-ENGWIRDA               

CPME Secretariat:              Tel.: +32 2 732 72 02

                                          Fax: +32 2 732 73 44

                                          e-mail: secretariat @cpme.be

For more information about CPME, consult our website: http://www.cpme.eu

The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), representing about 2 million doctors through the National Medical Associations of the European Union / European Economic Area, aims to promote the highest standards of medical training and medical practice in order to achieve the highest quality of health care for all citizens of Europe.