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European Health Parliament

EHP

The EHP is a multidisciplinary learning initiative enabling the next generation of European health leaders to develop constructive, actionable solutions to improve EU health.

Lobbying Activity

Response to A comprehensive approach to mental health

7 Feb 2023

European Health Parliament's (EHP7) policy recommendations: https://www.healthparliament.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/EHP7_Policy_Book.pdf#EHP7_Policy_Book.indd:5%20-%20Wellbeing%20of%20Healthcare%20Workers:110 1. Creation of independent support offices in every healthcare institution to prevent and manage mental health problems: There must be a way to remain anonymous so that there is no discrimination or stigma from management or colleagues when asking for support. 2. Integrate mental health and wellbeing evaluation of HCWs as a systematic tool in all health facilities performance and quality improvement programmes to achieve successful cultural transformation: we suggest including the Mental Health Person Reported Outcome Measure (e.g. questionnaires/checklists) defined at the EU-level. We encourage healthcare organisations to yearly collect and publicly disclose results that indicate how mentally friendly the healthcare organisation is to its HCWs. This would ensure cross-country standardisation of data and make results comparable. Further, this process could be assessed and monitored at the EU-level to close the care gap and reduce inequalities. 3. Education and training on mental health in early schools and university programmes for healthcare professionals and upskilling the workforce: Create, improve and sustain programmes on soft skills, mental health support and teaching mentalisation techniques, aimed at promoting resilience and protecting wellbeing of HCWs. 4. Create mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) to reduce burnout, mental health issues and avoid the ''Great Resignation''. 5. Create EU Health Policy Platform thematic network on mental health: Mobilise and foster consensus-building partnerships with stakeholders and experts to share best practices across Europe with the main goal to reduce burnout and promote wellbeing of HCWs. 6. Increase structural and research funds for the creation and implementation of evidence-based measures focused on the fundamental significance of wellbeing for HCWs to strengthen healthcare systems (long term approach and programmes).
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Response to Evaluation of patient rights in cross-border healthcare

11 Feb 2021

During the fifth session of the European Health Parliament initiative, the Interconnected Care Committee developed a set of policy recommendations focused on the ever-growing demand for interconnected healthcare services and more efficient care in and beyond the hospital. The members of the Interconnected Care Committee now welcome the opportunity to contribute to the roadmap on Cross-border healthcare – evaluation of patients’ rights. Introduction The current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has showcased the need for better-connected healthcare systems and a more coordinated approach in cross-border health policies in the European Union (EU). Ever-increasing mobility requires greater legal certainty on citizens’ rights when it comes to access to healthcare abroad, as well as suitable and efficient infrastructures to enable such rights to be respected and upheld. Notwithstanding the landmark adoption of Directive 2011/24/EU on Patients’ Rights in Cross-Border Healthcare, the Committee for Interconnected Care would draw the EU policymakers’ attention towards the limited impact of such legislation on citizens’ life point at the distance between the statements of principle and their full implementation on the ground. The success of a functioning cross-border health system depends, among many other factors, on healthcare professionals (HCPs) and citizens alike. Thus, two pillars set in our policy recommendations are focused on: 1. Citizens’ education and empowerment 2. Healthcare professionals as knowledge enablers Citizens’ education and empowerment Given that the success of the Directive depends highly on citizens being aware of their rights, it is crucial to ensure that citizens are part of decision making by complementing the existing channels of engagement. A particular challenge is to find the right balance between providing comprehensive information and information that is meaningful and easily understandable to all citizens. Educational campaigns at the regional and national level can contribute to increasing awareness amongst EU citizens and ensuring they understand how they can benefit from cross-border healthcare opportunities. There is a need to focus on inclusive communication around citizens’ rights in cross-border care, taking into consideration factors such as existing language barriers, as well as cultural and religious beliefs. Moreover, educational programmes can be created to place greater importance on citizens’ rights and equip communities with the right knowledge of cross-border healthcare. Tailored events should cater to the diversity within countries and communities to convey key messages inclusively. Additionally, relevant stakeholders should be assembled, to collect and exchange insights, allowing them to share use-cases, promote collaborative work and inspire decisive action towards enhancing the efficiency of cross-border healthcare in Europe. Healthcare professionals as knowledge enablers HCPs should boost citizens’ knowledge about National Contact Points (NCPs) and their role in cross border healthcare. Promoting bottom-up initiatives which increase awareness on cross-border rights and visibility of NCPs, could drive HCPs and their professional organisations to present programmes or projects that they identify with, helping to foster engagement with the concept. Such provisions are crucial requisites in the effective implementation of cross-border healthcare, would be highly beneficial for all parties involved and should, therefore, be supported by the EU. Conclusion In any new legislation, a public comment period and opportunity for all citizens and stakeholder engagement are paramount to ensuring objectivity and accountability of regulators. The Interconnected Care Committee is fully ready to engage with stakeholders in further discussions to develop and implement an effective legislative proposal. Please refer to the attachment for the complete set of recommendations.
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Response to A European Health Data Space

3 Feb 2021

The European Health Parliament (EHP) is a movement connecting and empowering the next generation of European health leaders to rethink EU health policies. During the 5th session of the EHP, the Interconnected Care Committee developed a set of policy recommendations focused on the ever-growing demand for interconnected healthcare services and more efficient care. We attach part of our recommendations that focus on digital aspects of cross-border care in the EU. The Interconnected Care Committee commends the ambition of the European Commission to create the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and would like to highlight key features that can ensure optimal use of health data and ensure positive societal impact. It is crucial for the EU to take all necessary actions to ensure security, portability and accessibility of the EU citizens’ health data. The recent pandemic has demonstrated that it is more important than ever before to harness the potential of health data and digital solutions to improve the health of European citizens. To this end, the EU should promote the harmonisation of data models used in Electronic Health Records. The majority of health data in the EU is collected in silos and remains unstructured. Thus, the Interconnected Care Committee members call for a decisive EU action in harmonising the standards for data collection and processing to ensure seamless health information sharing. This would enhance Member States' cooperation in sharing of prescriptions and patient summaries across the borders, but also provide the possibility to start the exchange of, for instance, laboratory reports and hospital discharge summaries. Besides, we call the Commission to promote the alignment of national health regulations with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), removing any fragmentation and discrepancies between Member States in data processing. The Interconnected Care Committee would like to stress the insufficient patient access and the ability to control personal health data. GDPR sets EU citizens in charge of their own data and thus, it should include a possibility to share and access their personal health data. Empowering citizens and building their trust in managing and sharing their own health data for research, has a potential to not only improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment but also offer a better understanding of the patient condition and more personalised solutions. Therefore, we call on the European Commission to take necessary measures to create greater EU citizen awareness and empower them to securely access and control personal health data. A robust code of conduct for health data would assure patients on their personal data use and would enhance the portability and accessibility of health data across the EU. The Committee applauds the Commission’s initiative to enhance the development and use of digital health products and services. Nevertheless, we would like to stress that health data should be conferred primarily for individual healthcare purposes and in the perspective of full compliance with the current EU data protection regime. It is crucial to guarantee that the use of data for scientific, statistics and research purposes takes place in the framework of a liability regime, where responsibility unequivocally stays with those designing, allowing and deploying AI techniques. Besides, citizens’ consent should form a basis for AI deployment to ensure the integrity and safety of sound health data handling. The Interconnected Care Committee members are looking forward to continuous contribution to the creation of an ambitious, secure and trust-driven European Health Data Space, which works for the benefit of all EU citizens.
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Meeting with Margaritis Schinas (Vice-President)

9 Sept 2020 · Healthcare

Meeting with Jean-Eric Paquet (Director-General Research and Innovation)

14 Jul 2020 · Position paper on improving EU's global positioning for R&D innovation

Meeting with Xavier Prats Monné (Director-General Health and Food Safety)

14 Mar 2018 · Discussion on Vaccination