Public consultation on primary care with a special emphasis on financing systems and referral systems

The European Commission is calling for feedback from the scientific community and stakeholders on the preliminary opinion on the ‘Definition of a frame of reference in relation to primary care with a special emphasis on financing systems and referral systems’. Primary care is understood as the first level of a health care system where people present their health problems and where the majority of the population’s curative health needs, health promotion and preventive health needs are satisfied. The purpose is to develop a common understanding on the concept of primary health care in the EU, reflect on the role of effective referral systems in ensuring the integration between all levels of the health system, and identify and analyse the existing financing mechanisms in primary health care. This consultation is part of the Commission’s effort to investigate how European health systems could benefit from a better integration between different levels of health care, both in terms of increased cost-effectiveness, and in terms of improved quality of care and equity. Contributions can be made until 11 May 2014. https://ec.europa.eu/health/expert_panel/consultations/primarycare_en.htm