Brussels, 09/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - The high level reflection process on patient mobility and the development of healthcare throughout the European Union, initiated by Commissioners David Byrne and Anna Diamantopoulou in February this year, came to a close with a meeting on Monday in Brussels with the ministers of EU current and future Member States. The process allowed a report containing 19 recommendations to be drafted. Recommendations range from: (1) work on information systems for facilitating the cross-border acquisition of healthcare; to (2) additional studies on patients' rights; (3) the identification of European reference centres for treatment that involves high tech material or for the treatment of rare diseases; and (4) the use of EU Structural Funds for upgrading hospital infrastructures in the new Member States. The Commission is expected to take account of these recommendations in a report that it intends to publish in 2004.