Cross Border Healthcare Directive

[Update] EPHA briefing on cyber security and health technologies

Below is an updated version of the EPHA briefing on cyber security and health technologies, first published in September 2012, taking account of developments and further EPHA work since then. As noted in the EPHA briefing on data protection reform, the immediate problem presented by these technologies is the threat to privacy and the protection of personal information. However, the security risk presented – be it through malfunction or deliberate attack – is less widely (...)

[EPHA Statement] General Data Protection Regulation & Implications for Health Research

Data for health research must remain available for the benefit of society as a whole, whilst respecting the rights of the individual. 27 February, Brussels - The European Commission proposal for a regulation concerning data protection, released in January 2013, contains a number of exemptions and provisions crucial to facilitating vital health research within a framework of individual rights and protections. The public health community welcomed the proposal and its recognition of the (...)

Ireland’s Presidency Health Priorities presented

Ireland, in collaboration with its TRIO partners - Lithuania and Greece - has made a commitment to use its resources to prioritise solid progress on a number of key legislative dossiers in health and calls on member states to work together, sharing ideas, information and best practice. The Irish Presidency Programme, whose cornerstone is progressing the legislative agenda, contains a series of health priorities: on 23 January 2013 the Irish Minister of Health, James Reilly, presented them (...)

Launch of EU Rapid Alert platform for human tissues and cells

On 1 February 2013 the European Commission launched a new Rapid Alert platform for Tissues and Cells (RATC) to exchange urgent information relating to human tissues or cells transferred across borders. In addition to tracking quality and safety defects in tissues and cells, the RATC can be used to raise the alarm on illegal and fraudulent activities, as well as on developing epidemiological situations (e.g. disease outbreaks) which may have cross-border implications. The Commission (...)

European Commission publishes results of public consultation on Health Technology Assessment (HTA)

In December 2012 the European Commission released the results of its public consultation on stakeholder involvement in Health Technology Assessment (HTA), as envisaged by the Directive on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare. Article 15 of Directive 2011/24/EU on the application of patient rights in cross-border healthcare provides for the establishment of a permanent, voluntary Health Technology Assessment (HTA) network in the EU, connecting national authorities and bodies (...)

eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020: More equality, less fragmentation?

On 7 December, the European Commission released its vision for the future deployment of innovative eHealth solutions in the form of the 2012-2020 eHealth Action Plan. This document outlines how the various barriers to the full use of digital solutions in Europe’s healthcare systems can be overcome by focusing on a number of key areas to speed up the process. The overall goal of the 2012-2020 eHealth Action Plan is threefold: to improve healthcare for the benefit of patients, give (...)

EPHA position on General Data Protection Regulation

EPHA’s position on the General Data Protection Regulation highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the existing proposal from the perspective of the health community and lays out the key provisions in protecting patient safety, individual rights and public health. The European Commission (EC) is currently reviewing its existing legal framework on data protection to ensure that the rules are fit for dealing with increasingly complex and sophisticated developments in technology and (...)

European Parliament’s LIBE Committee debates General Data Protection Regulation

Health Inequalities Conference highlights need for better stakeholder dialogue and coordination

At the end of September, EPHA attended the first ’Conference on Health Inequalities in the New EU Member States’ in Sofia, Bulgaria, jointly organised by the European Patients’ Forum (EPF), the National Patients’ Organization (NPO) of Bulgaria, and the Bulgarian Ministry of Health. The event approached health inequalities from the patients’ perspective and gathered national stakeholders from Eastern Europe and beyond, as well as EU policy makers and MEPs. (...)

European Parliament Event - Putting the language skills of health professionals under the spotlight

On Wednesday 3 October 2012, EPHA attended an event in the European Parliament, hosted by Bernadette Vargnaud MEP (S&D, France) and University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, in conjunction with the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE). The seminar discussed the language challenges created by professional mobility in healthcare, particularly in light of the upcoming revision of the professional qualifications directive.