This upcoming symposium is jointly organized by the European Health Telematics Association EHTEL, the Assembly of European Regions (AER), and the European Regional and Local Health Authorities (EUREGHA). It is hosted by the Committee of Regions (CoR), the political assembly which provides the regional and local levels with a voice in EU policy development and EU legislation. The EU Treaties oblige the Commission, Parliament, and Council to consult the CoR whenever new proposals are made in areas that affect the regional or local level. The CoR has 344 members from the 27 EU countries, and its work is organized in six different commissions which examine proposals, debate, and discuss in order to write official opinions on key issues.
The joint symposium celebrates, according to organizers, the launch of the mutual cooperation for eHealth in Europe’s regions. The event is designed to address the question what eHealth can do for supporting regional health policies and, vice versa, what regions can do for deploying eHealth services. It will be held on 22-23 November 2010 at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, Belgium.

Health Challenges: Information and Communication Technology to Support Answers

High-ranking experts and policymakers will discuss current and future challenges to health systems in the European regions, and potential solutions provided by a broad spectrum of ICT-based approaches. A “call for actions” with regard to eHealth deployment in Europe's Regions will be based on best practice examples from central and Northern Europe. Electronic health records will be highlighted in the context of cross-border care services. Telemedicine, personal health, and clinical eHealth applications are also part of the agenda. A further prominent topic features business models and financing for regional eHealth, with a focus on public-private partnerships.
Key speakers in Brussels will include Luc Nicolas (to be confirmed) from the Belgian Health Ministry, who will outline the view taken by the Acting EU Presidency on “the future of (e)Health in European regions”. Peteris Zilgalvis, Head of Unit, European Commission, DG INFSO H1, will speak on “Steering the future of eHealth in Europe and the Regions”.
Details about the program and registration options can be found at
www.ehtel.org/forum/featured-events/2010-ehtel-aer-euregha-symposium.