Division 3.2.2.3 Safety of blood, tissues, cells and organs (Annex — point 1.2.2)

• Organisation of training sessions in the field of tissues and cells for a defined number of inspectors. The aim is to achieve a uniform knowledge and way of doing inspections across the EU and to increase the number of trained professionals. This alignment of inspections practices will improve mutual trust and therefore stimulate collaboration among Member States.

  [Call for proposals for projects]

• Ad hoc cooperation with the Council of Europe on specific matters related to human substances (blood, tissues, cells, organs), in order to further develop and strengthen EU policy actions in this field.

  In order to promote and protect human health, the Commission cooperates with the Council of Europe on quality standards for collection/procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of blood components, organs, tissues and cells. This ad hoc cooperation contributes to the implementation of Community legislation and policies in these fields.

  [Direct grant agreement with CoE]

With the aim of supporting the implementation of the 10 specific priority actions of the Communication from the Commission ‘Action plan on organ donation and transplantation (2009 to 2015): Strengthened cooperation between Member States’ (COM(2008) 819 final)^f1:

1. (1)

   Training health professionals. Priority Actions 1 and 3 give particular emphasis to the role of transplant donor coordinators. The aim is to make sure that Member States put in place such key health professionals and provide them with continuous training. The result should be an increased number of well trained transplant coordinators. It has been demonstrated that key health professionals are elemental in increasing organ donation rates.

   [Call for tenders]

2. (2)

   Promoting actions (priority Action 6) and regional cooperation. The idea of the Action Plan is to strengthen cooperation and coordination activities of Member States in respect to organ donation and transplantation. The aim is to facilitate such cooperation between Member States with well developed transplantation systems and Member States that are in the process of improving or developing their transplantation systems. Through this mutual learning process the efficiency and accessibility of transplantation systems will be strengthened.

   [Joint actions and Operating grants]

3. (3)

   Funding a workshop with a view on how to improve the information to the general public and health professionals about new developments in the field (Priority Action 4 + 5). The aim is amongst others to improve the level of information the public receives in respect to organ donation and transplantation. The workshop could address such themes as improving communication skills of health professionals and support groups, and include seminars on ways of managing adverse publicity. This should result in an increased awareness and knowledge of organ donation and transplantation.

   [Call for tenders]