MEP Interest Group on cross-border healthcare to protect patients’ rights

A group of 20 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have launched an MEP Interest Group on “European Patients’ Rights and Cross-Border Healthcare” following the request of around 100 civic and patient organisations to recognise the importance of citizens’ initiatives in policy-making.

The launch event took place on 2 December, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Source: Twitter account @activecitnet

The co-founders of the group are MEPs David BORRELLI and Gianni PITTELLA.

This initiative is in line with one of EMSP’s main priorities for 2015-2020, empowering multiple sclerosis patients to become co-deciders of their healthcare.

As main objectives, the Interest Group has set the following:

• To strengthen the protection of patients’ rights in the European legislation, starting from the adoption of those included in the European Charter of Patients’ Rights.
• To promote initiatives to encourage and ensure the appropriate implementation of the European legislation on patients’ safety, starting from the Directive 2011/24/EU on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare.
• To actively support the celebrations of the European Patients’ Rights Day and collaborate with civic and patient associations at national and European level.
• Make the European Parliament acknowledge the European Patients’ Rights Day in order to officially recognise and institutionalise it. Establish a European Year of Patients’ Rights.