– 2.3. Strengthen collaboration on patient safety and quality of healthcare, by increasing the availability of information to patients, exchange of best practices and development of guidelines; support action on chronic diseases care and research including development of European guidelines;

However, no conditions, criteria of eligibility and regulatory and administrative formalities imposed according to this paragraph may be discriminatory or constitute an obstacle to the free movement of patients, services or goods, unless it is objectively justified by planning requirements relating to the object of ensuring sufficient and permanent access to a balanced range of high-quality treatment in the Member State concerned or to the wish to control costs and avoid, as far as possible, any waste of financial, technical and human resources.

the establishment of efficient and transparent patient safety programmes, structures and policies, including reporting and learning systems, with a view to addressing adverse events in healthcare;

Intensify their efforts in implementing Recommendation 2009/C 151/01, taking into account the priority areas identified in the conclusions of the two Commission implementation reports and the reports on education and training and on reporting and learning systems produced by the Patient Safety and Quality of Care Working Group;

WELCOMES the work of the Patient Safety and Quality of Care Working Group on practical guidelines on education and training and on reporting and learning systems;

25. Highlights the potential risk of a 'brain drain' from the new Member States to those offering higher salaries, with a subsequent threat to the capacity and standard of their healthcare systems; therefore encourages research into possible impacts of increased patient mobility on such movements, and research into the future demand for healthcare professionals and their supply through EU higher education systems;