A step towards the electronic EHIC

The deployment of the service continues with success across Europe. From July to September 2009 new NETC@RDS sites have been launched  in France, Poland and Slovakia increasing the total number to 172 units (healthcare organizations) and 427 workstation points. These activities, coordinated by each national deployment coordination team, has been taken over together with dissemination and training events targeting healthcare professionals and citizens.

In France CNAM, GIE SESAM VITALE and the French Ministry of Health organised a joint meeting with the selected hospitals (Paris, French-German nearborder area including regions of Alsace & Lorraine and French Riviera areas) for training delivery and communication purposes (Paris, 3rd July 2009). Hospitals’ sites have been equipped with publicity material and testing devices (posters in national language, card readers, test cards, scanners). This action relies on the opportunity to exploit summer as period of vacation for foreign citizens using healthcare services in touristic areas. 

In Poland the 16 regional offices of the National Health Insurance Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia - NFZ) have started in-depth activities of information and training at local level for increasing the awareness of the healthcare staff in deploying the services. NFZ has also triggered activities at national level to prepare the ground for deployment: solution for installing and securing the portal; purchase of smart cards readers and smart cards; user’s documentation and dissemination materials distribution. From July up to date 70 agreements for service site equipment have been signed and 42 installations completed. 

In Slovakia a new service point has been launched at The Faculty Hospital of Nitra. This is the fourth service point of the site, currently installed in the emergency room of this hospital.