Improving quality of care for better patient outcomes

9 September 2025,10:00–11:30 (CEST)

Quality health care is essential for achieving universal health coverage and the objectives of the second WHO European Programme of Work. The quality of a health-care system is often judged by its ability to deliver care that is effective, efficient, safe, timely, equitable and patient-centred.

Low-value care is one of the most pressing problems in health care across the WHO European Region because it increases costs, harms patients and undermines their trust and confidence in health systems. It also demotivates the health-care workforce and has a negative environmental impact. Reducing low-value care strengthens the sustainability of health systems by ensuring that the growing demand for services and limited resources can be balanced without compromising care standards.

The session will explore ways to enhance quality and reduce low-value care in order to improve patient-centred outcomes and will showcase partnerships between policy-makers and patients that have the power to transform care. Participants will also hear inspiring real-world stories about the impact of quality of care. The event’s main objective is to inform Member States on how they can further improve the quality of care and encourage them to join the community of practice dedicated to improving care quality.

This event is part of a series of side events to be held in the weeks preceding the 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC75), engaging delegates, partners and health experts on developments, initiatives, tools and new reports relevant to health across the WHO European Region.

The event is being organized for Member State representatives, non-State actors, partners, academia and WHO collaborating centres. Participation in the event is by invitation only.