VFN Patient Council

Statute of the VFN Patient Council

I. Introductory Provisions

The Patient Council of the General University Hospital in Prague – VFN (hereinafter referred to as the “Council”) is established as a permanent advisory body to the Deputy Director for Medical Care for the purpose of strengthening the protection of patients' rights, ensuring improved communication and awareness in the provision of healthcare services at the VFN.

II. Scope of Activity

The Council shall primarily:

• facilitate contact between representatives of patient organizations and the VFN management,
• enable submission of proposals for improving the quality of healthcare services provided at the VFN,
• recommend end steps for the fulfillment of patients' rights,
• participate in the preparation of VFN materials for VFN patients,
• assist in educating the general public and VFN patients within the scope of its competence,
• provide information about changes in the range of care and treatment options within the VFN Comprehensive Oncology Center and other workplaces providing specialized and highly specialized health care.

III. Composition

The Chairperson and members of the Council are appointed and dismissed by the Deputy Director for Medical Care.

The patient council consists of:

• Chairperson
• Secretary
• Representative of the Legislative and Legal Department
• VFN Ombudsman
• 2 representatives of VFN clinics
• 3 representatives from among the patients

Other guests may be invited to Council meetings.

IV. Responsibilities and Powers

Chairperson:

• Chairs Council meetings,
• Oversees the fulfillment of tasks arising from Council meetings,
• Approves the minutes of the meetings and submits them in their final form to the Deputy Director for Medical Care for signature.

Secretary:

• Keeps a list of Council members,
• Convenes meetings of the Council in consultation with the Chairperson,
• Draws up the minutes of meetings and submits them to the Chairperson for approval,
• Ensures archiving of meeting minutes in accordance with legal regulations as amended,
• Provides administrative support related to the functioning of the Council.

Council member:

• Participates in Council meetings.
• Observes confidentiality regarding non-public information acquired in connection with Council activities.
• Must provide the Secretary with contact details, in particular a telephone number and e-mail address (in the case of patient representatives).
• Proposes points for discussion.
• Expresses their views on submitted materials, proposals and conclusions.
• Has the right to request that their statement be recorded in the minutes.
• May request amendments to the minutes before approval by the Chairperson.

V. Conditions of Membership

Membership in the Council is honorary, without entitlement to remuneration, established by appointment of the Deputy Director for Medical Care and valid until dismissal.

Membership terminates by:

• termination of employment at the VFN (in case of VFN employees),
• upon a written request of a member delivered to the Council Secretary,
• by written appeal of the Deputy Director for Medical Care.

VI. Meetings

• The Council meets at least twice per calendar year, or as required.
• Meetings are convened by the Secretary in agreement with the Chairperson, by electronic invitation at least 14 calendar days prior to the meeting date.
• Council meetings are non-public and chaired by the Chairperson.
• Meetings may be held in person or via online conference by prior agreement.
• The Council has a quorum if an absolute majority of its members is present.
• At the beginning of the meeting, the agenda sent in advance was agreed upon. Each member has the right to propose changes to the agenda.
• Council resolutions are adopted by public vote on individual agenda items separately. Only members present have the right to vote, not invited guests.
• A resolution is adopted if approved by a simple majority of members present.
• In the event of a tie, the Chairperson's vote is decisive.

VII. Final Provisions

This Statute comes into effect on the date of signature by the Deputy Director for Medical Care and is published on the VFN intranet.