France: Groupe SOS promotes health democracy

Since 1984, Groupe SOS has attempted to demonstrate that the patient must be at the centre of the health care service. Now, the association is approached by public authorities to do some consultancy work. Groupe SOS fights any form of exclusion, and particularly the absence of medical care. It consists of about 2 000 employees working for 100 establishments concerned with receiving those in need of medical, social and residential care, along with their professional training and insertion. These services are split over 13 French regions. Groupe SOS defends the right to housing, the right to medical care, the right to social integration, and the right to pleasure. To adapt constantly its institutions and actions in order to face evolving needs, Groupe SOS has set up an advisory and internal control process, Alliance Gestion an economic interest group) and Alliance immobilière (a social economic group) to administer its property activities. Five associations are currently members of Groupe SOS. They are registered charities ruled by the 1901 law concerning non-profit-making associations. SOS Drogue International fights against drug-addiction and supports drug-users. SOS Habitat et Soins facilitates access to health care and accomodation. SOS Insertion et Alternatives is dealing with social work care and integration structures. ARCAT is pushing health democracy while JCLT is in charge of social and educational support. On several occasions, the Groupe SOS has took over the management of associations in difficulty at the request of public bodies. Its real assets are based on the clarity of its ethical, deontological, operational and financial guidelines www.groupe-sos.org