Deutscher Patienten Schutzbund e.V. (DPSB) and IEU-Alliance
Active in Aachen North Germany on Behalf of Patient Safety

Thursday 19^th April 2007

The Deutscher Patienten Schutzbund (DPSB) a German Patient Support Group and Member of the IEU-Alliance decided to arrange a Demonstration for Patient Safety on Thursday 19^th April at Aachen, North Germany. It was a pleasure and an honour for SIN-UK, another Member of the IEU-Alliance, to be invited to this Demonstration. Unfortunately, the other Members of the IEU-Alliance were unable to attend. The DPSB’s Demonstration was arranged to coincide with a meeting of the Health Ministers of the EU. This meeting was held at the Hotel Dorint Sofitel Quellenhof, Aaachen (see photos below).

During the morning, the DPSB had arranged for representatives of both patient groups to enter the Hotel. The DPSB had had a very original idea. They had made a ‘gold’ medal or a "Reform-Medaille". (see 2 photos below of the Gold Medal)

The Medal was to be presented to their Health Minister, Frau Ulla Schimdt ( See photo of Health Minister). The Chair of the DPSB, Frau Gisela Bartz and the Co-Director of SIN-UK (Mrs Gillian Bean) had signed a letter requesting permission to present the "Reform- Medaille" to Frau Ulla Schimdt. The Personal Assistant of the Health Minister accepted the letter. (See photo below). Unfortunately, the Health Minister was only available late in the afternoon. This was not convenient for either the DPSB or SIN-UK.

A representative of the Health Minister, Herr Klaus Vater, came to meet the patients. He was pleased to accept the " Reform – Medaille 2007" and the IEU- Alliance Declaration on behalf of the Minister. (see photos below). Herr Vater was happy to be photographed holding the Banner of the IEU-Alliance with the blue Banner of the DBSP. (see photos below).

In the afternoon everyone met in the Market Square in front of the Rathaus. The Demonstration was excellently organised by the DPSB with many of their members present with placards, leaflets and a microphone. Four speakers spoke on the necessity for Patient Safety. The Chair of the DPSB, Frau Gisela Bartz, and two members of the Board: Frau Anne Alexander and Frau Gudrun Trimborn. The DPSB kindly asked SIN-UK (Gillian Bean) to speak. She spoke of the IEU-Alliance and read the IEU’s Declaration, and the need for greater patient protection. The DPSB had even arranged for Gillian to have an interpreter. All the speakers were very well received. (See photos below).

The Demonstration was a great success!! The important cause of Patient Safety and the need for greater protection for patients had been raised with the Health Ministers of the EU and the IEU-Alliance’s Declaration had been given to the German Health Minister. Everyone left the Demonstration very tired, but very happy.

And in the words of the DPSB: