European journal of public health
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Eur J Public Health · Apr 2016
ReviewPolicy on palliative care in the WHO European region: an overview of progress since the Council of Europe's (2003) recommendation 24.
With the goal of achieving greater unity and coherence, the Council of Europe developed a national palliative care (PC) policy framework-Recommendation (2003) 24. Although directed at member states, the policy spread to the wider World Health Organisation (WHO) European Region. This article aims to present the current situation relating to national PC health policies in European countries. ⋯ An improvement in national PC policy in both EU and non-EU countries was observed. Future priorities include potential initiatives to improve relationships with policymakers, establish quality control programmes and ensure financial support for PC.