Paris, 18 January 2024: The consortium and supporting partners that make up the RESIL-Card project kick-started the venture on 1st December 2023.
The 3-year project received a funding grant from the European Commission under the EU4Health Work Programme to strengthen European healthcare systems in providing continuity of care for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular patients during crises, such as pandemics, conflicts, or climate challenges.
The RESIL-Card consortium brings together experts in public health delivery research, such as the Healthcare Services and Systems Research Unit of the medical centre Amsterdam UMC (the Netherlands), the network of global interventional cardiologists We CARE (France), the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology GISE (Italy) and the Catalan Health Service CatSalut (Spain), to collectively draw on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve its objective by developing and implementing a ground-breaking resilience assessment tool to be applied to European cardiovascular care pathways. This tool will support cardiac care systems’ stakeholders to assess the resilience of care pathways, as well as identify and address gaps using recommended standards.
Led by We CARE in the Coordinator’s role, the project is further supported by complementary expertise from organisations such as the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (Ireland), Global Heart Hub (Ireland), Cittadinanza Attiva (Italy), and Europa Group (France).
The Advisory Board, featuring organisations like Women as One (global), the EAPCI/PCR Nurses and Allied Professionals Committee (EU), GISE Foundation (Italy), and Ukrainian physicians, will provide independent advice and guidance throughout the project implementation.
Principal Investigator of the project Professor William Wijns says “RESIL-Card envisions a future where European healthcare systems are resilient, patient-centered, and capable of reducing care access inequalities. Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to excellence, the project aims to make a lasting impact on cardiovascular care across the continent.”
Professor Niek Klazinga, from the Amsterdam UMC, highlights that “the University of Amsterdam’s research team will follow a 3-step approach that ensures the inclusion of the most recent scientific evidence, as well as the engagement of the stakeholders of the cardiovascular care pathways. The main aim is to develop a resilience tool that is fit-for-purpose and –use for these stakeholders to continuously monitor and improve the resilience of European healthcare systems”.
Dr Sandra Ganly, CEO of the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health, emphasises the transformative impact of this collaborative project: “Partnering with leading institutions across Europe, including colleagues from the University of Galway, underscores our collective commitment to strengthening cardiovascular care resilience. Together, we strive to pioneer innovations that transcend borders, ensuring a healthier future for all.”
The project has four complementary work packages (WP):
- WP1: Developing a ‘resilience assessment tool’ focusing on monitoring and strengthening the continuity of care delivery for cardiovascular patients during crises. The approach driven by the AMC Research Group includes a scoping literature review, a survey of healthcare professionals, and focus groups with multi-stakeholder representation.
- WP2: Pilot-testing the resilience assessment tool involving cardiovascular healthcare professionals and institutions from Catalonia and Italy. Leading this phase, CatSalut will collect in-depth feedback to refine the tool before its official launch.
- WP3: Co-leading the communication and dissemination strategy, GISE and We CARE will ensure a widespread adoption of the tool and recommended standards. Efforts include engaging with patient organisations, workshops with NGOs, and collaboration with the European Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes.
- WP4: Project coordination, financial management, data and publication management, ethics and risk management, and the Advisory Board governance are handled by We CARE.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The consortium managing the RESIL-Card project consists of four key partners:
- We CARE (France): An initiative of the We Care Alliance, led by a group of global interventional cardiologists advocating for the continuity of patient access to cardiovascular care.
www.WeCareAboutHearts.org
- Amsterdam UMC Health Systems and Services Research Group (The Netherlands): Focused on the measurement, management, and improvement of healthcare systems’ performance, with an emphasis on sustainability and resilience.
Amsterdam Public Health (amsterdamumc.org)
- · CatSalut - the Catalan Health Service (Spain): Responsible for guaranteeing public, comprehensive, and quality healthcare coverage, bridging governmental policies and operational models.
Inici. CatSalut. Servei Català de la Salut (gencat.cat)
- GISE – the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (Italy): A national association dedicated to the study and development of hemodynamic and interventional cardiology.
GISE - Società Italiana di Cardiologia Interventistica
About RESIL-Card
RESIL-Card is an EU4Health funded project managed by a consortium of four partners dedicated to enhancing the resilience of European healthcare systems in providing cardiovascular care. The project aims to develop and implement a protocol-based tool that assesses and addresses the gaps in cardiac care systems, ensuring continuity during crises.
About EU4Health
EU4Health is a European Union program focused on building a healthier European society by strengthening health systems, making medicines more accessible, and fostering innovation in the healthcare sector. Website: www.eu4health.eu
For further information, please contact Sandrine Wallace: swallace@wecare-alliance.com