HIMSS Supports Proposed Legislation for Creation of European Health Data Space

HIMSS is delighted to note the publication of the proposed legislation for the creation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS), which marks an important step in the path to making digital health a central pillar of the healthcare systems across the European Union.

The central focus on the rights of individuals to access, control and utilise the health data that is collected about them in the course of health care, as well as to add to such data from wellness apps and wearable devices is highly welcomed. It provides patients with the possibility to easily take their secure data from one healthcare provider to another in seeking second opinions, and recognises the importance of real-world data in developing more personalised care. A further step will now be to ensure that European and Member State level evaluators of medical technologies are able to make use of real-world evidence in certification and funding decisions.

HIMSS welcomes in particular the focus on interoperability of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), which HIMSS has been championing for many years. EHRs are the life blood of safe, secure, effective and efficient patient care, as well as the source for secondary use of health data to facilitate valuable research, innovation and policy-making. HIMSS stands ready to support the European Commission and Member States as they move forward in developing new systems and tools to ensure interoperability both at technical and organisational levels, including governance, policy and legal considerations to facilitate the best possible use of EHRs.

The recognition of telemedicine in the proposed legislation offers much needed support to the integration of remote monitoring and consultation into everyday patient care and strengthens the capacity of allowing medical expertise and knowledge to flow more freely across borders.

The path to a fully functioning EHDS will be challenging, but the goal of using health data to fuel new resilience and sustainability in Europe’s healthcare systems is very promising. HIMSS urges the European Commission and Member States to work closely and co-operatively to bring the EHDS into existence quickly. Open dialogue will ensure the knowledge and experience of all players in healthcare — patient, healthcare professionals, providers, payers and industry — are leveraged fully.