Commission publishes communication on digital transformation of health

On 25 April 2018 the European Commission published its Communication on enabling the digital transformation of health and care in the Digital Single Market; empowering citizens and building a healthier society. In its communication the Commission states that Member States’ future ability to provide high quality care to all will depend on making health systems more resilient, more capable of coping with the challenges that lie ahead, while remaining cost-effective and fiscally sustainable.

According to the proposal, digital technologies can, if designed purposefully and implemented in a cost-effective way, provide the means to support such reform measures in health and long-term care systems. For that, actions are needed to improve coordination around three priorities: citizens’ secure access to and sharing of health data across borders; better data to advance research, disease prevention and personalised health and care; digital tools for citizen empowerment and person-centred care.

In response to the European Commission’s communication, we sent a press release to welcome the potential of digital developments in health to support more personalized care and patient empowerment. Yet, we also reminds the critical issues of accessibility, safety and digital skill development that can make sure everyone will have access to those technical developments. We will analyse the proposal with our members and experts in more details and react soon to its main proposals from the perspective of older citizens.