Press Releases

HFE launches the Healthcare Directory 2007 - Your Guide to Healthcare in Europe

2 October 2007

Health First Europe Introduces New Healthcare Directory:

On the eve of the European Health Forum Gastein, Health First Europe introduces “Healthcare Directory 2007 – Your Guide to Healthcare in Europe”. The software programme provides indispensable information for patients, healthcare practitioners and policy-makers. It contains a diverse range of useful addresses for healthcare-related pan-European websites and national sites in each of the 27 EU Member States. The information in this directory has been provided from respected sources and is categorised primarily by country.

The software can be downloaded free of charge from the Health First Europe website (www.healthfirsteurope.org)

The programme is easily downloadable on a personal computer and has a simple navigation whereby the user can click on the map of Europe to find information relevant to that particular country. Also included is an additional section that contains pan-European or international website addresses, information about Health First Europe and a list of its member organisations.

Mel Read, Honorary President of Health First Europe, said: “This directory is a must-have source of information for anyone with an interest in healthcare. We realise that ‘knowledge equals health’ and the importance of facilitating the seamless transfer of information between the healthcare industry, patients and policy-makers. The directory will assist us in our aim of encouraging reflection and dialogue on the future of healthcare in Europe at a time of significant demographic and technological revolution”.

Health First Europe believes that patients and clinicians should have equitable access to healthcare information and medical innovation. Informed patients can assume responsibility for their own health, which allows them to lead healthy, productive lives.

Notes to Editors:

For more information, please visit www.healthfirsteurope.org

Established in 2004, Health First Europe is a not-for-profit, non-commercial alliance of patients, healthcare workers, academics, healthcare experts and the medical technology industry. Its primary aim is to ensure that healthcare is regarded as a vital investment in the future of Europe and that every European citizen should benefit from the best medical treatments available.

As part of a series of awareness-raising activities, Health First Europe organises events and issues publications with the aim of communicating the following core messages to EU decision-makers and opinion leaders:

• There are weaknesses in European healthcare systems; a re-think is required in order to meet current and future health challenges
• Patients and clinicians should have equitable access to modern, innovative and reliable medical technology
• The development of new and flexible modes of healthcare delivery will benefit both patients and healthcare providers
• “Health equals wealth”. Health is a productive economic factor in terms of employment, innovation and economic growth.