Osakidetza and Kronikgune along with BIOEF visited the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow on 29 and 30 April. 

This visit forms part of the activities in the 2019-2020 action plan for the Interreg Europe Project, TITTAN (Translation, Innovation & Technology Transfer in Ageing Network). TITTAN seeks to improve the quality of healthcare systems by developing innovative solutions and promoting the active and healthy ageing of the population. The Basque Foundation for Health Innovation and Research, BIOEF, is a partner of the consortium, along with 6 other organisations. In addition, Kronikgune and Osakidetza belong to the project’s interest group.

The first phase of the project has focussed on exchanging knowledge and experiences implemented in participating regions (good practices, initiatives, tools and services). The second phase started at the end of 2018 and it is aimed at implementing the 2019-2020 Action Plan for each region.

Within this second phase, the Basque Country expects to develop an innovative solution for citizen empowerment. It should be noted that Osakidetza currently has several educational programmes and tools that promote patient and/or carer empowerment. Osasun Eskola and Active Patient are two good examples since they provide information, empowerment in self-care, and changes towards healthier lifestyles.

The visit to Scotland served to understand the “Living it up” tool in depth, which was implemented by the Scottish Government in 2016. Aimed at people over 55 years old suffering from chronic diseases, the central core of the platform has been the empowerment of people to improve their health and well-being, allowing them to connect with their circle of care and community.

The dialogue with Scotland will allow the Basque Country to better define the next steps in terms of strategy and starting-up innovative solutions for the empowerment of patients and the wider population.

For further information on forthcoming activities scheduled in TITTAN, visit the web page: http://www.interregeurope.eu/tittan/