The World Health Organisation has identified weak primary care systems as one of the most pressing health challenges in 2019. Strong primary care is essential to improving the performance of European health systems by contributing to better accessibility, effectiveness and resilience. It can meet people’s health needs throughout their lifetime while addressing the challenges posed by an ageing population and the increase in chronic diseases. Health systems with a strong primary care in place tend to have lower rates of unnecessary hospital admissions, lower health inequalities and a healthier population.

This CHES Policy Dialogue looked into the state of primary care in Europe, how to assess performance and how to learn from successful examples.

Speakers included: Hans Martens, Senior Adviser, European Policy Centre, Jan De Maeseneer, Chair of the Expert Panel on effective ways of investing in health, Mary McCarthy, Vice-President, European Union of General Practitioners (UEMO), Katarzyna Ptak Bufkens, Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, European Commission.