Improve strategies for patient safety based on the outcomes of the Action called ‘Study on costs of unsafe care and cost-effectiveness of patient safety programmes’ launched by the Commission in collaboration with the Patient Safety and Quality of Care Working Group.

WELCOMES the work of the European Network for Patient Safety and Quality of Care (Joint Action PaSQ) on the implementation of Recommendation 2009/C 151/01 as regards the exchange and implementation of good practices in Member States.

RECALLS that Recommendation 2009/C 151/01 and Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 on the application of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare request that patients receive healthcare in accordance with safety and quality standards and guidelines and clarify the right to receive information, in a clear and transparent way, as regards safety and quality measures in place and complaints procedures and redress mechanisms.

7. Believes that guidelines should include procedures to obtain treatment, sources of information about health professionals and healthcare facilities, mechanisms for paying for care, arrangements for travel and linguistic support, arrangements for continuing care, follow-up, convalescence and rehabilitation prior to or after return, complaints and other related procedures and special care for the elderly and pensioners; points out that mechanisms of payment for care should be uniform and impartial so as to avoid inequalities and the creation of disadvantages to certain patients ...[+++];

7. Believes guidelines should include procedures to obtain treatment, sources of information about health professionals and health care facilities, mechanisms for paying for care, arrangements for travel and linguistic support, arrangements for continuing care, follow up, convalescence and rehabilitation prior to or after return, complaints and other related procedures and special care for the elderly and pensioners; points out that mechanisms of payment for care should be uniform and impartial so as to avoid inequalities and the creation of disadvantages to certain patients; ...[+++]

4. Believes that the issue of patient mobility needs a separate Commission proposal and that the Services Directive should concentrate on service mobility rather than patient mobility, but that the Services Directive should incorporate a call to the Commission to bring forward a proposal on patient mobility within six months of that measure entering into force; further believes that this proposal should be based on the work of the High Level Group on Health Services and Medical Care and should address in particular a framework for guidance to patients, health professionals and health budget managers and proposals to cover information to ...[+++] patients and patient security and confidentiality;