ANNOUNCEMENT: 19 NOVEMBER 2025
THE EUROPEAN PATIENT SAFETY FOUNDATION BECOMES THE UMBRELLA ORGANISATION FOR THE RESCUE INITIATIVE ON SECOND-VICTIM SUPPORT
We are pleased to announce the signing of a new agreement with RESCUE, an initiative born from the ERNST Research Network (COST Action 19113).
The agreement was formalised during the Enhancing Patient Safety Through Digital Innovation: The Missing Links conference, held in Munich on 24 October 2025. This step marks an important milestone in continuing the work initiated by the ERNST Network—winner of the 2024 Butterfly IMPACT Award and in strengthening support structures for healthcare professionals affected by the second-victim phenomenon.
Signature of the EUPSF - RESCUE agreement at the European Patient Safety Foundation (EUPSF) Patient Safety Conference on 24 October 2025 in Munich, Germany. From left to right: Prof. Dr. Reinhard Strametz; RESCUE Vice-chair, Prof. José Joaquín Mira, RESCUE Chair, Mr Pedro Vieira Dos Santos, EUPSF Vice-President and Ms Kira Tosberg, EUPSF Board Member
Understanding the Second-Victim Phenomenon
The second-victim phenomenon refers to the emotional and psychological impact experienced by healthcare professionals involved in an adverse event. Although widely recognised in the scientific community, it remains insufficiently addressed in everyday healthcare practice.
The ERNST Network, which has led pioneering work in this field, laid the scientific groundwork for improving support systems across Europe. RESCUE represents the next stage: translating this knowledge into practical, structured programmes that can be implemented in healthcare organisations.
Supported by the COST Action Innovative Grant IG19113, RESCUE has developed standards to guide the introduction of peer-support programmes in hospitals and other care settings across Europe.
A new framework for collaboration
Over the past year, Mr. Stéphane Boulanger, Policy Advisor at EUPSF, has been working closely with Prof. Dr. Reinhard Strametz, Prof. José Joaquín Mira, and Prof. Massimiliano Panella to support RESCUE’s transition from a COST consortium into an independent and sustainable initiative.
During the Munich conference, EUPSF and RESCUE signed a three-year agreement establishing EUPSF as the umbrella organisation for the initiative. The agreement provides a clear and stable framework for collaboration and ensures:
-
the scientific integrity of RESCUE,
-
the strategic responsibilities of EUPSF, and
-
a shared commitment to fairness, trust, and emotional safety in healthcare.
Why this partnership matters
This partnership strengthens ongoing efforts to:
-
raise awareness about the second-victim phenomenon,
-
support healthcare organisations in introducing peer-support models,
-
promote an approach to patient safety based on fairness, compassion, and emotional safety, and
-
ensure that effective, evidence-based practices are implemented sustainably across Europe.
For EUPSF, hosting RESCUE fits directly with our mission to improve patient safety by supporting healthcare workers. We believe that no healthcare system can be safe if it neglects those who deliver care.
Looking ahead
Over the next three years, RESCUE and EUPSF will work together to:
-
introduce the RESCUE certification framework in real-world settings,
-
develop training and support structures for peer supporters,
-
coordinate dissemination and awareness-raising at European level, and
-
ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative.
The agreement also puts in place regular joint monitoring, shared communication planning, and mechanisms to keep RESCUE activities aligned with the Foundation’s strategic framework.
LEARN MORE
RESCUE Initiative & European Strategy - https://cost-rescue.eu
The RESCUE Initiative builds on the work of the ERNST Network to support healthcare professionals affected by the second-victim phenomenon. Its European Strategy outlines the development of peer-support models, the creation of standards for practical implementation, and a roadmap for integrating emotional and psychological support into healthcare organisations across Europe.
ERNST Network (COST Action 19113) - https://cost-ernst.eu
The European Researchers’ Network Working on Second Victims brings together experts from across Europe to understand the second-victim phenomenon and develop strategies to address it. ERNST has created an important knowledge base, produced guidance, and fostered collaboration among healthcare professionals, researchers, and institutions committed to improving emotional safety in healthcare.
Butterfly IMPACT Award 2024 - https://2024conference.eupsf.org/award
The Butterfly IMPACT Award recognises impactful initiatives that strengthen patient safety through practical and evidence-based approaches. In 2024, the award acknowledged the work of the ERNST Network on second-victim support, highlighting its contribution to raising awareness, advancing research, and laying the foundations for what is now evolving through RESCUE.
Contact: For inquiries and more information please contact EUPSF Secretariat
