The Expert Group on health systems performance assessment was set up at the request of Member States to provide a forum to promote cooperation and exchange of experiences among them. As the discussions in the expert group focus on the various national experiences, the appropriate level for involving stakeholders is at national level, in accordance with the national institutional settings.

The Commission does not assess investment at national level in research and innovation in health systems.

Innovation in the health domain potentially covers a very broad range of areas, one of them being eHealth solutions. In the communication on effective, accessible and resilient health systems[1], the Commission strongly encourages cooperation between Member States in developing and implementing cost-effective and interoperable eHealth solutions to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of health systems.

In the Digital Single Market Strategy[2], the Commission fosters the standardisation and interoperability of eHealth solutions in support of health system reforms. In the 2016-2019 period, it will focus on promoting the exchange of patient data between health systems, the deployment of telemedicine in the context of the European Reference Networks, and on facilitating patient access to their electronic health data.

The Commission also supports research related to innovative and sustainable health systems, including projects and initiatives funded by Horizon 2020.

• [1] COM(2014) 215 final, of 4.4.2014
• [2] COM(2015) 192 final, of 16.05.2015