Contribute to the public consultation on the criteria for the European Reference Networks launched by the European Commission
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the criteria for the European Reference Networks and healthcare providers wishing to join the network under the framework of article 12 of the Directive on cross-border healthcare (Directive 2011/24/EU). A conceptual paper and a questionnaire have been prepared by Directorate General Health & Consumers.
European Reference Networks are of particular relevance in the field of rare diseases which are mentioned in the Directive as an example of a field of particular need for such networks.
The Directive on the application of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare requires the European Commission to support Member States in the development of European Reference Networks between healthcare providers and centres of expertise. The main added value of the European Reference Networks and of the Centres of Expertise is to facilitate improvements in access to diagnosis and delivery of high-quality, accessible and cost-effective healthcare in the case of patients who have a medical condition requiring a particular concentration of expertise or resources, particularly in medical domains where expertise is rare (see Recital 54 of the Directive). European Reference Networks could also be focal points for medical training and research, information dissemination and evaluation, especially for rare diseases. Article 12 requires the Commission to adopt a list of criteria that the networks must fulfill, as well as the conditions and criteria which providers wishing to join networks must fulfill. The Commission is also required to develop and publish criteria for establishing and evaluating European Reference Networks: the Commission must also facilitate the exchange of information and expertise on the establishment of the networks and of their evaluation.
The following target groups are encouraged to give their views:
- Patient organisations, health professionals' organisations and healthcare provider's organisations.
- Healthcare providers and centres of excellence, academic and public health and healthcare specialised institutions.
- Public authorities and government-appointed bodies responsible or involved in the definition of criteria and the establishment and evaluation of centres of reference/excellence and reference networks of centres providing highly specialised healthcare
The deadline for the consultation is 22 February 2013. Learn more about the on-line consultation