The eHealth Network seeks to bring together the national authorities responsible for eHealth on a voluntary basis to work on common orientations for eHealth. The aim is to ensure EU-wide interoperability of electronic health systems and wider use of eHealth. It is expected to translate the results of numerous research projects and pilot projects into real-life accessible services for European citizens.
The network is mandated to draw up guidelines on a minimum set of common data to be included in patients' summaries; on methods to enable the use of medical information for public health and medical research; and on common identification and authentication measures to ensure transferability of data in cross-border healthcare.
European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, John Dalli said: "eHealth has the potential to deliver better healthcare to more people in a more sustainable manner. I am confident that the eHealth network will play a key role in making eHealth a reality across Europe so that routine medical checks are performed in the comfort of our homes via telemonitoring; so that we take our ePrescription along with our eTicket when we travel, with the confidence that our medical information follows us everywhere in the EU; so that all Europeans can access the best possible healthcare wherever they are." He concluded: "I encourage all Member States to join the [...] network so that our joint efforts can reap benefits for all."
Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE), said: "The new eHealth Network promises to bring the health benefits of the digital economy to citizens across Europe. Interoperable eHealth can help improve the safety and efficiency of care of millions of Europeans who travel within the EU every year."
The Commission adopted the Decision for the establishment of the network, as foreseen by the Directive on the application of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare (2011/24/EU).
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