Brussels, 01/10/2913 (Agence Europe) - The European Patients' Forum (EPF) launched a campaign on 1 October, ahead of the 2014 European elections, to encourage policy makers to put patients at the centre of healthcare throughout Europe. The manifesto of the campaign Patients + Participation = Our Vote for a Healthier Europe calls for a European healthcare policy focused on the patients' wellbeing and rights as the only way to ensure healthcare systems that are less costly, fairer and more sustainable. Patients must be seen as full partners in the management of their conditions. Equal access to quality healthcare has to be made a reality for all, even in times of economic crisis. “The European Parliament elections and new Commission 2014 offer a unique new opportunity for the European Patients' Movement to encourage politicians and policy makers at all levels to commit to act towards patient-centred, integrated healthcare that will lead to a better quality of life for us and our carers, and more cost-effective, equitable and sustainable health systems for all. In other words, working towards a healthier Europe”, states the EPF. Interested parties are invited to sign the manifesto, through the following link: http://www.eu-patient.eu/whatwedo/EPFCampaign2014Elections/ (IL.transl.fl)