The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) congratulates the European Commission for releasing the long-awaited proposal for a directive[1].

CPME supports the free movement of patients and health professionals within the EU. The European Commission’s proposed text is a step forward as it aims to clarify patients’ rights to cross-border healthcare and to provide legal certainty for patients, Member States and healthcare providers.

While CPME acknowledges that patients prefer to be treated as close as possible to their home and family, where they can easily communicate without language problems, patients should be able to receive care abroad when necessary or by choice. Patients’ rights and the quality of their treatment must be ensured.

CPME recognises that healthcare systems are a national competence and that it is the Member States’ responsibility to guarantee the quality and equal availability of healthcare for their citizens. CPME therefore supports the European Commission’s initiative to reinforce cooperation between Member States in the provision of cross-border healthcare.

For more information, contact: Lisette TIDDENS-ENGWIRDA
CPME Secretary General; Tel.: +32 2 732 72 02;
Fax: +32 2 732 73 44; e-mail: secretariat@cpme.eu

For more information about CPME, consult our website: http://www.cpme.eu

The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), representing about 2 million doctors through the National Medical Associations of the European Union / European Economic Area, aims to promote the highest standards of medical training and medical practice in order to achieve the highest quality of health care for all citizens of Europe.
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[1] See CPME and EPF Press release “Health services: Patients and Medical doctors call for EU action”, of 8 February 2008