WRITTEN QUESTION No. 45/99 by Konstantinos HATZIDAKIS to the Commission. Telemedicine in the public health sector in Greece
C 207/172 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 7. 1999 (1999/C 207/239) 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? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (15 February 1999) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible. (1999/C 207/240) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0063/99 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (27 January 1999) Subject: European holiday resorts Holiday resorts have features which set them apart, in that they must provide for the upkeep of the infrastructure which they need in periods in which the influx of tourists is high, yet which is superfluous to their everyday requirements for the remainder of the year. For that reason, national, regional and local authorities alike are introducing provisions recognising the specific nature of holiday resorts into the legislation which regulates the tourist industry. Will the Commission say to what extent the Community provisions affecting the tourist industry can assimilate the distinction already drawn in national legislation in various Member States, as a means of assisting those municipalities confronted with a large influx of tourists at certain times of the year? Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (24 February 1999) According to the principle of subsidiarity, the Commission does not consider appropriate to harmonise at the Community level the provisions introduced by national, regional and local administrations regulating the activity of tourist resorts