For health service decision makers this agenda builds on evidence that health innovations (IT, pharmaceuticals, equipment, new technologies and processes) are shaping and supporting the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of acute and chronic disease conditions across European regions. In some regions this has led to investment in technologies that minimise hospitalisation. This agenda increases general understanding of the ‘health is wealth’ relationship e.g. how local health economies can work more effectively with regional and wider health market economies.
For local health organisations such as acute hospitals and primary care organisations, this agenda helps them exploit developing technologies from local industries & services to improve diagnostic and treatment services; it also helps them maximise local procurement opportunities.
For regional governments across the EU, it promotes greater ownership by regional governments of local health service activities; creating relevant regional centers of excellence contribute to building and maintaining a reputation for supporting the regional knowledge economy. Its political realisation must support development of innovation capabilities as well as access to the regional health market.
For regional governments in the newer EU12 member states the agenda is timely because it supports building political and organisational capacity for collaboration between health care providers, universities, medical schools, related research institutes and regional economies. It suggests areas for investment that will produce effective and sustainable results.
For regional development agencies and SMEs, the adoption of this agenda in your region identifies new opportunities to be competitive creating an environment in which relevant SMEs can develop and flourish; it provides a knowledge background for intermediary bodies.
For relevant European Commission Directorates (DG Enterprise & Industry, DG Internal Markets, DG Research, DG Regional Policy, DG Health & Consumer Protection), this agenda offers a platform for an approach that cuts across individual DG competencies in order to strengthen EC policy development by:
• Promoting regional health sector-related enterprise
• Promoting innovation and health-related research
• Strengthening regional competitiveness and economic development
• Supporting improved health status and better health outcomes for regional populations.
