Press Releases

HFE publishes "HFE health survey 2007" - 77 opinion leaders's views on the future of EU health

19 March 2007

41% of key EU opinion leaders surveyed by Health First Europe support thecreation of a unique European healthcare system in the long-term

This is just one of the main findings outlined in a summary report launched today,detailing the results of a survey conducted by Health First Europe (HFE) of 77 EUhealthcare opinion leaders.
Other key findings include that:

• 89% advocate investment in medical technology innovation to improve healthcareefficiency and limit healthcare deficits
• 88% believe that public health authorities in Member States should provideinformation on how to apply for healthcare cross border
• 86% believe that the EU should be competent for the coordination of technicalresources (e.g. e-health, patient records), technological advances (e.g. medicalequipment and diagnostics), knowledge, best practice and standards
• 65% support the coordination of market approval of all health technologies througha regulatory agency (like the US Food and Drugs Administration) by the EU

The report published today, on the occasion of HFE’s third anniversary, represents theconclusion of a five month-long survey of a limited and selected group of Members of theEuropean Parliament, Commission officials, health attachés from Member StatePermanent Representations to the EU, as well as healthcare stakeholders. The reportprovides an illuminating insight into EU opinion leaders’ views on how best to tackletoday’s patient and healthcare priorities.

HFE Honorary President, Mel Read, thanked all participants of the survey, and noted ‘Thekey findings of the report are most revealing. Indeed, the high number of responses –41% - that support a unique EU-wide healthcare system in the long term, show asubstantial shift inmentality. Especially, considering that only ten years ago before theratification of the Amsterdam Treaty, such an idea would have been unthinkable. Responses to this survey provide us with an honest picture of the perceptions of opinionleaders in 2007. The report paves the way for an open and frank discussion on healthchallenges in Europe.’

An on-line version of the survey is available on www.healthfirsteurope.org.

Notes to Editors:

The survey endorsed by David Byrne, HFE Patron and former European Commissionerfor Health and Consumer Protection, was sent to limited selection of key EU decisionmakers and healthcare stakeholders over the period October 2006 – February 2007.

Responses were received from the European Institutions – European Parliament, European Commission, Permanent Representations to the EU and healthcare stakeholders. For the formal survey of chosen participants, HFE pledged to donate 10 euro to Médecins sans Frontières (MSF). As such, HFE will shortly be sending 770 euro to MSF.

Health First Europe (HFE) was launched on 17 March 2004 as an alliance of patients,healthcare workers, academics, and industry, to encourage reflection and dialogue on thefuture of healthcare in Europe at a time when it is facing demographic change.

The core messages of HFE are:

• There are weaknesses in European healthcare systems and a rethink is required in order to meet current and future health challenges
• Patients and clinicians should have equal access to modern, innovative andreliable medical technology
• Development of new and flexible modes of healthcare delivery will benefit patientsand healthcare providers
• ‘Health equals wealth’ – health is a positive economic factor in terms ofemployment, innovation and economic growth

The full results of the survey can be downloaded at: www.healthfirsteurope.org
For further information / interviews with HFE members contact:
Maya Parikh
Tel: + 32 (0) 2 626 1999
Email info@healthfirsteurope.org