WRITTEN QUESTION No. 45/99 by Konstantinos HATZIDAKIS Telemedicine in the public health sector in Greece (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)
C 320/122 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 6. 11. 1999 (1999/C 320/161) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0045/99 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission Subject: Telemedicine in the public health sector in Greece (22 January 1999) The introduction of data-processing in public health has been long delayed in Greece: so far only 15 general hospitals out of the 143 public hospitals and 173 rural centres in Greece are equipped with computers. These computers were secured under the IMPs, but have not been upgraded since then and are used chiefly as word processors. Another consequence of their non-compatibility with up-to-date telecommunications techno- logies is the total absence of telemedicine in the Greek public health sector. However, the Operational Programme for Health under the second CSF provides for 24 general hospitals to be equipped with advanced communications systems, with pilot applications in seven regions of the country. Will the Commission say: 1. How is the programme to install this technology in the seven pilot regions and the other 17 general hospitals included in this programme progressing? 2. Given its involvement in programme funding, how long does it believe it will take to introduce telemedicine applications in Greece? Supplementary answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (30 March 1999) 1. Under the IMPs 15 hospitals were equipped with information technology systems. Far from functioning merely as secretarial support these have been used primarily for administrative and financial management of the hospitals and in some cases to set up a hospital pharmacy, and have permitted a substantial reduction in their running costs. Under the second CSF for Greece these 15 systems are being updated and equivalent systems installed in a further 10 hospitals to give a total of 25 fully equipped establishments. 2. On medical treatment via telecommunication links, the national authorities have informed the Commission that although no project was included in the IMPs a wholly nationally financed pilot programme has been implemented. Under the second CSF a study on installation of the technology for medical treatment via telecommunication links is in progress. This will serve as the basis for a ‘telemedicine’ plan involving pilot applications in a number of Greek regions to be selected in line with its conclusions. (1999/C 320/162) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0062/99 by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (27 January 1999) Subject: Granting of EU aid for the regeneration of Portman Bay (Murcia, Spain) The Autonomous Community of Murcia has announced the intention of Commission Directorate-General XVI to undertake an in situ assessment of the Portman Bay regional regeneration plan, with a view to estimating how much EU funding should be allocated to it. 1. Will the Commission provide information on the contents of the regeneration plan? 2. Will it say whether the delegation of experts from the European Investment Bank has already conducted its inspection? If it has not, when does it intend to do so?