Workshop 1

Steering, not rowing!

Strengthening governance for health system performance

Organised by the Austrian Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies

All too often a government’s good intentions with regard to health system reform do not translate into good policy let alone effective implementation. And it is not necessarily a lack of money or human resources that frustrates reform efforts. Even well-resourced health systems can be stricken by a string of disappointing reforms. One way to address this issue is to strengthen governance, which is, in other words the way we make and implement collective decisions.

How can we strengthen the main dimensions of governance including accountability, transparency, participation, integrity and capacity? How can we empower governments and stakeholders in strengthening their governance? How can we reconfigure governance between national and sub-national levels? What disruption is necessary to get governance right?

These questions will be addressed in a highly interactive session using case studies, testimonials, group work, plenary discussion and active facilitation.

Photo Gallery