The purpose of the National Health Conference, a consultative body reporting to the Minister for Health, is to enable consultation on health issues. It is consulted by the Government when the national health strategy is being drawn up. In particular, on the basis of reports drawn up by the regional conferences on health and autonomy, it draws up an annual report on respect for the rights of users of the healthcare system, which is sent to the Minister for Health and made public. It issues opinions and proposals to the Government on the plans and programmes it intends to implement. It also formulates opinions or proposals with a view to improving the public health system. It contributes to the organisation of public debates on these issues. Its opinions are made public.
The National Health Conference, whose composition and operating procedures are set by decree, includes in particular representatives of patients and users of the health system, representatives of health professionals and health establishments or other care structures, including at least one representative of an establishment providing home care or preventive care, representatives of health product industries, representatives of compulsory and supplementary health insurance organisations, representatives of regional health and autonomy conferences, representatives of research organisations and qualified personalities.