Access to health care to be easier in Europe
Patients are to have easier access to health care in other European countries under plans
outlined by the European Commission.
European law already gives people the right to go for treatment in any
European Union country and to have it paid for by their own national
health care systems. But exercising that right is difficult because it
depends on knowing what treatment is available and how to make a patient’s
own health service pay for it. A central aim of the proposal outlined
by the commission last week is to explain people’s rights more
clearly and ensure that they have the information they need to make use
of those rights.
David Byrne, European commissioner for health and consumer protection,
said: “Our proposed system of co-operation will help health care
systems work together for the benefit of patients. Where there are empty
hospital beds in one country and waiting lists in another, co-operation
can benefit everyone.”
The commission is to produce a policy document on patient mobility, establish
a
system of open co-ordination for national health care systems and encourage
the use of e-technology, such as digital patient records, electronic
prescribing and teleconsultation.
On 1 May, the EU will expand to include an additional 10 countries which
has implications for health professionals as well as patients.
News feature p537 |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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