Sanofi-aventis strengthens support for patient groups with launch of Patient Group Bursary
Posted: 28 March 2011 | | No comments yet
Sanofi-aventis has signalled a strengthening of its support for patient groups in the UK…
Sanofi-aventis has signalled a strengthening of its support for patient groups in the UK with the launch of a new Patient Group Bursary. With the NHS in England set to undergo major structural and cultural change through the implementation of the Government’s far-reaching healthcare plans, the company firmly believes that patient groups will have a more important role than ever before in championing the needs of individual patients and improving the quality of their care.
The Patient Group Bursary scheme invites applications from patient groups in the broadest sense, be they local groups, social enterprises or even professional associations proposing projects in any of three categories that sanofi-aventis has identified as crucial areas where opportunities exist for groups to contribute in this new environment. These are:
- Developing capacity to deliver health services to the NHS;
- Improving and promoting patient empowerment and information;
- Reducing health inequalities
As part of the 2011 scheme, two successful groups will be awarded grants of £25,000 each to support new programmes in the above areas running throughout the year.
Announcing the new scheme, sanofi-aventis UK General Manager, Steve Oldfield, said: “This is an exciting development that reaffirms our commitment to working in partnership with patient groups to meet the needs of professionals and patients in the NHS alike.”
A panel of expert judges, chaired by Steve Oldfield and including the Liberal Democrat Peer and former Chief Executive of the King’s Fund, Baroness Julia Neuberger, as well as Baroness Jill Pitkeathley, Chair of the Council of Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE), will meet to assess applications and decide the winning programmes in May.
Applications for the scheme are now open and will close on Wednesday 20th April 2011. Further information about the criteria for applications, the application form and the selection process can be found on the company website at http://www.sanofi-aventis.co.uk. The winning programmes will be announced in May.
