Terms of Reference - ECCO Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) 2010

1 Key objectives

1.1 Emphasising ECCO’s strong commitment to the patient interest the Patient Advisory Committee
(PAC) was established as an initiative of ECCO – the European CanCer Organisation. The PAC is
funded solely by ECCO and its main function is to present the patients’ view to the ECCO Board on
how the aims/objectives/goals and strategic direction of ECCO may be met.

1.2 Operating within the frame of ECCO, the PAC aims to provide advice on how to optimise ECCO
patient-centred activities. It will seek to position patient interests at the core of ECCO initiatives
related to health, education, advocacy and research policies by fostering an open dialogue with
the ECCO Board.

 

2 Terms of reference

In its advisory capacity the PAC will provide a focus for patient-centred action within ECCO by:

2.1 Increasing the potential of the new ECCO Patient Information section by providing advice and
guidance on content in the development of the website including innovative ideas and news leads
for the news section.

2.2 Encouraging discussion about the role of ECCO in supporting cancer patients and their carers
through education, advocacy, conferences, seminars, workshops and exhibitions in order that the
patient voice is heard.

2.3 Providing a patient perspective on the potential value of ECCO’s interaction with other European
bodies.

2.4 Responding to requests from the ECCO Board for a patient-centred view on specific projects.

2.5 Providing insight from the patient perspective to the Organising Committee for the Patient Track at
ECCO congresses.

2.6 Exchanging and sharing information with other ECCO committees on major developments of
mutual interest and in particular with ECCO’s Policy Committee on changes to existing health
policies or the introduction of new health policies within the EU institutions.
To achieve these objectives the Patient Advisory Committee will:
Attend two meetings per year and one teleconference whilst maintaining open communication via
email in between times to encourage close collaboration and feedback on PAC related business.
Meet at the ECCO office in Brussels or at The European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress.
Propose agenda items to the ECCO staff at least two weeks in advance of a meeting.
Be supported by the ECCO staff.
Provide a report of each meeting to the ECCO Board.
Record members’ interests and potential conflict of interests.
The Terms of Reference will be reviewed by each incoming ECCO Board.

 

3 Membership

The Committee will be composed to reflect the breadth of predominantly European cancer patient
groups and may include other European public health groups who have a substantive interest in cancer.

3.1 Members will be proposed by the PAC and approved by the ECCO Board.

3.2 Membership will be in a representative capacity of European patient support groups.

3.3 The term of office will be two years (1st July to 30th June) in the first instance, with a further term of
two years at the Board’s discretion taking into consideration recommendations from the PAC.

3.4 Members will be selected to reflect the geographical area covered by ECCO.

3.5 The Committee will be empowered to co-opt additional experts on an ad hoc basis for particular
tasks.

3.6 The Chief Executive Officer, ECCO staff and the President of ECCO may attend meetings in an
ex-officio capacity and will receive all Committee papers.

 

4 Remuneration

Membership of the ECCO Patient Advisory Committee is unpaid. Reasonable travel expenses will be
reimbursed in accordance with the ECCO finance and support policy of all its committees.

 

5 Chairmanship

The Chair will be selected and appointed by the ECCO Board of Directors.

5.1 Duties
The Chair will directly or by delegation:

• Monitor progress of the Committee
• Propose membership of the Committee in consultation with the President and CEO of ECCO
• Promote the interest of the patient
• Report to the ECCO Board on the activities of the PAC and receive mutual feedback as required.

5.2 Qualities
The candidate must have highly developed leadership skills, be an excellent communicator and skilful
team player.

5.3 Relationships
Responsible to the ECCO Patient Advisory Committee, and through this the ECCO Board
The term of appointment will be 2 years in the first instance (from 1st July of the first year to 30th June of the second year)
Support will be provided by ECCO staff.

5.4 Remuneration
This post of Chair of the ECCO Patient Advisory Committee is unpaid.
Dated: 02 July 2010
Review date: July 2012