In brief

Transparency, dialogue and consultation, which constitute the main principles of health democracy, are at the heart of the agency’s relationship with associations, patients and their relatives. Users of the health system, as a result of their knowledge and experience, need to participate in making the decisions that affect them. The agency recognizes this expertise and involves them in its work, by including users’ representatives in all its working groups on care pathways, and by supporting community projects whose objectives are consistent with those of the national plans that it oversees and implements.

The agency’s health democracy policy falls under a cooperation framework that sets out the terms of dialogue and consultation and ensures that associations are involved at key decision-making stages. In addition to specific thematic interface committees, associations of patients and users of the health system are present at meetings of ministerial plan monitoring committees, which are attended by all stakeholders – including the supervising ministry and central departments.

They also participate in a number of bodies, such as the Board of Directors, the Advisory Board and the Scientific Board of the French Renal Epidemiology and Information Network (R.E.I.N). Lastly, patient and user representatives contribute to all working groups, to the extent that they relate to the care pathway.

The agency is also committed to greater transparency and to providing information that is accessible and understandable by all. It also promotes openness and proximity in its discussions with citizens, and undertakes, to the extent possible, to respond to all requests it receives through its communication channels.

Through regular meetings, either at events organized by associations or on the ground, and also on our websites and social networks, the agency responds to requests for information, with a constant focus on transparency and education.