20–24 October 2025 | Athens, Greece
Following the success of the 2023 and 2024 editions, the WHO Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Athens, Greece, is launching a new third edition to further strengthen knowledge and expertise in advancing quality of care and patient safety across the WHO European Region.
Co-organized with the WHO Collaborating Centre for Education, Research and Evaluation of Safety and Quality in Healthcare at the National School of Public Health at NOVA University Lisbon, the 2025 course will be held for the first time in Athens, from 20 to 24 October.
About the Autumn School
Building on the foundations established in its first 2 editions, the 3rd WHO Autumn School will continue to support Member States in advancing national quality policies, strengthening leadership and fostering cross-country collaboration. This year’s programme is aligned with the Second European Programme of Work and addresses the evolving challenges that health systems face across the Region.
The course focuses on 2 core pillars: delivering outcomes that matter to patients and communities, and adopting a systems approach to quality of care, supported by strong governance and an adaptive health workforce.
During this 5-day course, WHO representatives, key health decision-makers and global experts will come together to share insights and practical approaches. By linking evidence, tools and leadership development, the Autumn School serves as a platform for translating principles into practice – supporting countries in designing and implementing policies that drive sustainable improvements in quality of care and patient safety at the national level.
The programme is anchored in 3 key enablers for advancing quality of care across the Region:
- people and leadership – empowering individuals and institutions through strong leadership and a shared commitment to continuous improvement and learning culture;
- data and transparency – applying robust measurement frameworks to inform decision-making and strengthen accountability; and
- digital solutions and innovation – harnessing innovations to enhance patient safety, care coordination and quality-of-service delivery.
The 2025 edition will include a series of social activities enabling participants to experience the cultural richness of Athens while reinforcing the School’s core values of networking, reflection and well-being.
Why a course on quality of care and patient safety
Recent crises have exposed health system gaps, reinforcing the need for preparedness, resilient supply chains and equitable access to high-quality care. Evolving challenges – such as climate change, demographic shifts and the growing burden of noncommunicable and mental health conditions – are reshaping health needs. This course fosters training and collaborative networks on quality of care and patient safety focusing on:
- applying national policies and governance strategies to improve quality of care and patient safety
- designing and implementing impactful, innovative and people-centred interventions
- promoting equity, meaningful outcomes and a culture of continuous learning
- engaging in peer exchange, advocacy and cross-country collaboration.
Quality of care and patient safety are fundamental to accessible, equitable and people-centred health services. Through peer exchange and collaborative learning, the Autumn School contributes to WHO/Europe’s broader goal: ensuring that every person, in every setting, receives care that is safe, effective, timely and centred on their needs.