MEP calls for uniform patients' rights in the EU

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil has called for EU-wide legislation to address the right of patients when they move from one country to another to seek medical treatment.

Speaking at a conference organised by the European trade union organisation EUROFEDOP, hosted in Malta by the UHM, Dr Busuttil called for an EU law to clarify patients' rights.

He said that as an MEP, he was frequently asked by constituents whether they could seek healthcare abroad.

"I must confess that I find myself very uncomfortable having to explain to them that EU law on this subject is still rather vague. Of course health is not for sale." Dr Busuttil said. "And, in the main, nor are the core healthcare services which must be provided to the public. But we should not lock ourselves in a situation which does not allow for progress, not least in the legal area. I do not think that we can remain in a legal vacuum at a European level. I do not think that we should do nothing. For if we do nothing, people will still move to seek more and better healthcare services and products."

On the role of the private sector in health services, Dr Busuttil said: "Far from shunning it, I would say that the private sector has an important and constructive contribution to play in supporting and complementing the role of the public sector, not least in areas such as innovation, research, quality standards, management but even on more tricky issues such as waiting lists. A space must be allowed for the private sector whilst strengthening the overall service provided by the public sector at one and the same time."