Digital Agenda for Europe 2020

Information and Communication Technology for health and wellbeing (eHealth) is becoming increasingly important to deliver top-quality care to European citizens. The ‘eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020’ of the European Commission describes the actions foreseen on this topic.

The first EU eHealth Action Plan 2004-2011 covered electronic prescriptions and health cards to new information systems that reduce waiting times and errors, in order to facilitate a more harmonious and complementary European approach to eHealth.

The second eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020 (see the prior public consultation – you can download ) operates in the context of Article 14 of Directive 2011/24 on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare. It focuses on the following:
•Supporting research, development and innovation;
•Promoting international cooperation;
•Achieving wider interoperability of ehealth services;
•Ensuring wider deployment & facilitating uptake.

For download: eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020

Download documentul tradus în Română: Planul de Actiune 2012-2020

Telemedicine

Together with the eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020, the Commission issued a Staff Working Document (SWD – you can download) on Telemedicine to help deal with the legal aspects related to data protection rules, privacy matters and reimbursement.

NB: Both the eHealth Action Plan and the SWD on Telemedicine are intended as guidelines, and are not binding on Member States.

For download:  Commission issued a Staff Working Document (SWD)

eHealth Network

The eHealth Network is a voluntary network of representatives from all national authorities in the EU. It draws up guidelines, for example on how to apply patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare. In general, the network aims to enhance interoperability between electronic health systems and continuity of care and to ensure access to safe and quality healthcare.

More info
•More info on the eHealth Action Plan (FAQ’s, press releases, etc.).
Sursa: European Comission