European Health Data Space Regulation: Trilogue Recommendations

The creation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) will allow healthcare professionals anywhere across the EU access to a patient’s personal health data, making emergency treatment abroad easier and based on available data recorded previously. Patients will also be able to access their own health records and see what healthcare professionals are noting. Different kinds of entities such as public health authorities, scientists, governments, drug developers and other types of industries can also use this data in anonymised/pseudonymised forms for purposes other than treating us such as for research or public health reasons.

A European Health Data Space has thus tremendous value and could improve treatment outcomes across the board. To make sure that the EHDS is a success that consumers can place their trust in, however, it is crucial that the final text of the regulation allows them to exercise their choice on who can access their health data and respects their right to privacy.