Brussels, 07/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 7 December, the European Commission unveiled an action plan to deal with the constraints to massive use of digital solutions in health systems in Europe. The aim is to improve the quality of health care to the advantage of the patients, allowing them to be more in control of their care and to reduce costs. While patients and healthcare professionals enthusiastically use electronic solutions and millions of Europeans have downloaded applications on their smart phones in order to monitor their health developments and well-being, the digital health system must still deploy its enormous potential to allow health care to be improved and to create greater efficiency. Neelie Kroes, Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, has said (our translation throughout): “Cracks are beginning to show in the 20th century system. The new European e-Health action plan explains how to introduce digital advantages in health care and eliminate constraints on health services that are more intelligent, safer and focused on the patients”. Tonio Borg, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, said “eHealth brings those concerned closer and increases the effectiveness of health systems. The action plan will allow the potential of eHealth to be transformed into better care for our citizens. The online health network set out in the directive on cross-border health care denotes our shared commitment to find interoperable solutions at EU level”. The eHealth action plan was developed in response to a request made by member states in 2009 and prepared on the basis of responses given to a public consultation exercise carried out in 2011.
The aim of the action plan is to speed up change in health care and improve eHealth services by: 1) clarifying areas where there is legal uncertainty; 2) strengthening interoperability between systems; 3) making patients and healthcare professionals more aware and consolidating their skills; 4) giving patients a focal position through initiatives relating to health personnel management and supporting research in personalised medicine; 5) guaranteeing free legal advice for the young in the field of eHealth. The Commission also undertakes to publish a Green Paper on mobile health (m-health) by 2014, which would be devoted to questions of quality and transparency. The Commission services' working document which accompanies the action plan presents a legal overview of how current EU legislation governs cross-border telemedicine (services such as teleradiology, teleconsultation and telemonitoring). At the present time, telemedicine comes under several legal instruments. The document answers questions facing health professionals when they provide crossborder telemedicine services - for example, when it is necessary to have a licence or be registered in the patient's member state, how to deal with health data, what services are reimbursed and what liability system is applicable in the event of legal prosecution.
Members of the new eHealth network, set in place by the directive on crossborder health care, will contribute to implementing the action plan and will constitute a direct link between the authorities and national ministries responsible for health in each country. (IL/transl.jl)