The Princess Grace Hospital Centre (CHPG) has taken a significant step forward in its commitment to inclusivity with the signing of a dedicated charter for patients with disabilities. The symbolic ceremony, held Thursday at the Salle Du Conseil d’Administration of the healthcare facility, formalises 17 concrete commitments aimed at making healthcare more accessible to all.
The event brought together key figures including Christophe Robino, Minister for Social Affairs and Health, and Lionel Galfré, Technical Advisor – Delegate for Disability, alongside partner associations and hospital management.
The charter is the culmination of extensive work by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Valérie Bernard, Head of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department and institutional disability liaison, and Damien Aimé, Management Officer at Cap Fleuri.
“Conscious of the difficulties that people with disabilities face in accessing healthcare, CHPG has made this challenge a priority,” reads the institution’s official document presented during the ceremony.
The initiative has already yielded tangible results with the implementation of four key measures: a unique phone number with an online form for pre-visit needs assessment, personalised care pathways designed a case-by-case basis, practical guidance sheets for all staff, and the formal charter that codifies the institution’s approach to inclusive care.
Alignment with Monaco’s Handicap policy
This development comes as part of Monaco’s broader Handicap strategy launched by the Princely Government in December 2023, which encourages all organisations across the Principality to adopt standards facilitating the inclusion of people with disabilities.
During the ceremony, Christophe Robino highlighted the significance of the initiative: “I believe this is truly an excellent response to the government’s initiative, which is expressed through the Handicap policy. Ultimately, our objective is that individually and collectively, we are ready for a society where disability no longer presents barriers to accessing services and participating fully in daily life.”
The 17-point charter addresses multiple dimensions of healthcare accessibility, from guaranteeing care regardless of disability type to enhancing communication quality. It outlines commitments across six categories: healthcare access, reception quality, patient autonomy, needs assessment, caregiver support, and professional training.
The working group, which includes doctors, caregivers, administrative staff, management, and user representatives, collaborated closely with the Principality’s associations to develop this comprehensive framework.
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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali – Direction de la Communication