VFN Patient Council

Statute of the Patient Council of the General Hospital
I. Introductory provisions

The Patient Council of the General University Hospital in Prague (hereinafter referred to as the "Council") is established as a permanent advisory body to the Deputy for Medical Care in order to strengthen the protection of patient rights, ensure improved communication and information in the area of providing health services at the General University Hospital.

II. Scope

The Council primarily:

  • will mediate contact between representatives of patient organizations and the management of the VFN,
  • allows submission of proposals for improving the quality of health services provided at the General Hospital,
  • recommends steps to fulfill patients' rights,
  • participates in the preparation of VFN materials for VFN patients,
  • helps educate the general public and patients of the VFN within the scope of its competence,
  • informs about changes in the spectrum of care provided and treatment options within the Comprehensive Oncology Center of the VFN and other workplaces providing specialized and highly specialized health care.
III. Composition

The Chairman and members of the Council are appointed and dismissed by the Deputy Minister for Medical Care.

The patient council consists of:

  • Chairman
  • Secretary
  • Representative of the Legislative and Legal Department
  • General Hospital Ombudsman
  • 2 representatives of VFN clinics
  • 3 patient representatives

Other guests may be invited to Council meetings.

IV. Responsibilities and powers

Chairman:

  • He/She chairs the Council meetings.
  • He supervises the implementation of tasks arising from the Council's meetings.
  • Approves the minutes of the Council meeting and submits them in their final form to the Deputy for Medical Care for signature.

Secretary:

  • He keeps a list of Council members.
  • He/She convenes a meeting of the Council after consultation with the Chairman.
  • He/she prepares minutes of the meeting, which he/she submits to the chairman for approval.
  • Ensures archiving of minutes of meetings in accordance with legal regulations as amended.
  • It ensures administrative activities related to the functioning of the Council.

Council member:

  • Participates in Council meetings,
  • Maintains confidentiality in relation to non-public information that he/she has learned in connection with the activities of the Council,
  • He is obliged to provide the secretary with contact details, in particular the telephone number and e-mail address (in the case of patient representatives).
  • Proposes points for discussion.
  • He expresses his positions on the submitted materials, proposals, and conclusions.
  • He has the right to request that his opinion be entered into the minutes.
  • He/she may request a change to the wording of the minutes before approval by the chairman.
V. Membership conditions

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

Membership expires:

  • termination of employment at the General Hospital (in the case of General Hospital employees),
  • upon a written request from a member delivered to the Secretary of the Council,
  • by written appeal of the deputy for medical care.
VI. Negotiations
  • The Council meets at least twice a calendar year or as needed.
  • The meeting is convened by the secretary in agreement with the chairman, in the form of an electronic invitation at least 14 calendar days before the meeting date.
  • The Council's deliberations are closed to the public and are chaired by the chairman.
  • The meeting can be held in person or via online conference by prior arrangement.
  • The Council has a quorum if an absolute majority of its members are present.
  • At the beginning of the meeting, the agenda sent in advance is agreed upon. Each member has the right to propose changes to the agenda.
  • The Council's 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 a simple majority of the members present vote in favor.
  • In the event of a tie, the chairman's vote shall be 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.

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