European Commission: The European Commission is proposing a number of initiatives which aim to encourage co-operation among EU member-states to raise standards of accessible, high-quality healthcare which is at the same time financially sustainable.
European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Mr David Byrne said: "EU law gives patients the right to go for treatment in other member-states, but exercising that right can prove difficult. A central aim of our proposal is to explain patients' rights more clearly and ensure they have the information they need to make use of those rights.
"My final goal is to achieve a European Charter of patients' rights to which everyone can refer.
"Our proposed system of co-operation will help healthcare systems to work together for the benefit of patients. To me, it is simple common sense.
"Where there are empty hospital beds in one country and waiting lists in another, then co-operation can benefit everyone. By working together the member-states will be able to improve healthcare and shorten waiting times."
Healthcare is regularly identified as one of the most important issues for Europe's citizens.
While responsibility for healthcare rests with member-states, there are a number of common challenges, such as the ageing society, increased needs and demands from citizens and rapid technological change.
The Commission's proposals are aimed at individuals.
They include efforts to promote practical co-operation on the access to healthcare in another member-state. They should also empower patients by giving them better information on how to obtain treatment across borders and by making the most of technology to improve the quality, availability and effectiveness of care.
They also benefit the healthcare profession, by proposing the development of centres of excellence and mapping out how to harness new technologies.
Finally, the Commission addresses co-operation at government level, by proposing a framework for member-states relating to reform and modernisation of healthcare, long-term care and social protection.