European Hospital and Healthcare Federation’s position on the European Commission’s proposal for a Directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross border healthcare

The Board of Governors of HOPE, the European Hospital and Healthcare Federation, unanimously adopted, during a meeting in Sofia on 27 October 2008, its position paper on the proposal of the Commission for a Directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare.

HOPE welcomes the European Commission proposal’s aim to improve legal clarity over patients’ rights to cross border healthcare. HOPE broadly supports opportunities for EU citizens to access healthcare in another Member State when it is clinically necessary and in the best interest of the patient. To facilitate this, HOPE is in favour of sharing experience between healthcare systems and of coordinated action throughout the EU.