EPHO self-assessment process in Slovenia (2017 – 2018)

Slovenia is an advanced central European country with a long tradition of developed public health system. However, since last twenty years the country has not adopted national strategy for public health system, despite tremendous developments in this area worldwide. Resolution on the National health care plan 2016–2025 foresees preparing and adopting a strategy for the development of public health services. In April 2017, the Ministry of Health initiated a comprehensive self-assessment process of public health operations using a WHO/Europe self-assessment tool for the evaluation of essential public health operations (EPHO) with special focus on public health financing and public health workforce being the biggest challenge for Slovenia. Between April 2017 and April 2018 over 120 experts from health and non-health sector participated in EPHO process applying a deliberating approach throughout the assessment process to trigger dialogue and reflection. Their work resulted in drafting a set of recommendations for future action that could feed back into policy practices and public health reform, as well as to foster improvements, reach consensus on a core set of prioritized recommendations and achieve social license by ensuring the community’s acceptance of the results of the assessment. The results of the EPHO process are setting objective foundations, on which a strategy for the development of public health services will be developed. EPHO self-assessment process offers a possibility to develop and renew partnerships at all levels and across different actors to protect, promote and invest in health of the population. It is a comprehensive process that requires devoted leadership and constant support from the Ministry of Health. Key messages: WHO/Europe EPHO is practical and valuable tool to conduct comprehensive self-assessment of public health system operations while strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation among stakeholders. Participation of non-health sector partners in the systematic, collaborative and deliberative EPHO self-assessment process strengthens awareness of their responsibilities for public health.