Northern Ireland achieved the highest recognition of 4 Star Reference Site status from the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA). As a result of the ‘Call for Reference sites 2016’ launched in December 2015 at the Conference of Partners of the EIP on AHA, a total of 74 regional and local organisations from across Europe have been awarded ‘Reference Site’ status. Northern Ireland was 1 of only 8 Reference Sites to achieve the 4 Star Status, and 1 of 5 applicants to receive full marks against all 5 criteria. The application featured MOIC and examples of work being delivered in Medicines Optimisation in Northern Ireland.
All the regions represent a commitment to invest in innovative solutions that will lead to improvements in the quality of life of the ageing population, support efficiencies and sustainability of health and social care delivery and finally, stimulate economic growth and competitiveness. These investments will benefit an expected five million people in the next three years.
The Reference Site status is granted to organisations who have demonstrated excellence in the development, adoption and scaling up of innovative practices for active and healthy ageing. In line with the strategic objectives of the EIP on AHA and particularly the ‘European Scaling Up Strategy for Innovation in Active and Healthy Ageing’.