[Roles and missions of 'users' centres']

Since their institutional recognition, 'users' centres' (Maisons des Usagers) have been created in numerous health care institutions. Places where users can find information and express themselves on an individual and collective level, they constitute a bridge between the hospital and citizens. In order to fulfil this role in the initiation of a health democracy, it is essential that a users' centre is built on the real and committed involvement of patients' associations, and on a partnership with healthcare professionals.