European Haemophilia Consortium (EHC)
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Last Round Table: The Implications of the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive for People with Haemophilia

At its latest Roundtable the EHC considered the EU Directive on Cross-Border Healthcare (865 KB) (due to be implemented in all member states by October 2013). A cross section of MEPs, patients, health professionals, industry representatives considered the possible impact on patients affected by bleeding disorders. The meeting hosted by Rebecca Taylor MEP and Nessa Childers MEP heard from Annika Nowak from the European Commission about the development of the Directive about how its intention is to codify existing rights for patients and to develop enhanced cross-border cooperation.

The EHC through Chris James and Radoslaw Kaczmarek challenged the potential for the Directive to be used an excuse for countries not to implement high standards of treatment and care at home and not deny access to patients to comprehensive care in their own country. On the positive side there was a view that Europe might provide the critical mass of patients with very rare bleeding disorders and that the freedom to seek care more widely might well be beneficial. 

Professor Cedric Hermans gave some very thought-provoking case studies of patients who had crossed their borders to seek care at his clinic all of whom presented with complex cases. He gave examples of the inconsistencies of factor consumption and treatment protocols across the EU and Europe as a whole which would all provide a challenge to any advantage for patients with bleeding disorders. These views were supported by presentations from Nessa Childers and Rebecca Taylor both highlighting the view that the Directive would have little immediate impact on care and treatment for people with bleeding disorders.

An excellent discussion developed many of these points and there was a view that the Directive may give an incentive for the development of standard Health Technology Assessments and to drive improved care and treatment in some countries that are currently behind others in providing comprehensive care and access to standard therapies.

Presentations