Regional and national experiences on bridging: a Western European perspective

This presentation reflects on experience across the pre-2004 European Economic Area in making use of formal mechanisms to help collate and consider different sources of information in health and social care policy, with a particular focus on the areas of ageing and disability. The structures, capacity and resource requirements of selected mechanisms will be illustrated. The presentation then assesses how, if at all, different approaches adopted in regions and countries have actually been used to help bridge gaps between different stakeholders, in both establishing policy relevant research priorities and developing evidence informed policy and practice. Challenges for the future strengthening of capacity as well as potential opportunities for pan-national co-operation will also be considered.