On January 25th 2024, it established the Direct Grant Community of Practice, facilitating collaboration among future EHDS members. This group aims to transition from the HealthData@EU Pilot project, which is set to conclude in 2024, after developing essential solutions such as network infrastructure, metadata standards, and data access forms. The Community of Practice will serve as a strategic platform facilitating collaboration among future EHDS members, streamlining implementation efforts, and fostering capacity-building.
On January 26th, the HealthData@EU pilot consortium and the Direct Grant Community of Practice, introduced by Fulvia Raffaelli, Head of Unit ‘Digital Health’ unit – DG SANTE at the European Commission.
“The pilot is the cornerstone upon which EHDS2 stands. Let’s unite the Community of practice and pilot communities to lay a solid foundation. In fostering a common understanding and practice, we pave the path towards progress.”
This event had the following objectives:
- Showcasing Progress: Highlighting the significant advancements made by the HealthData@EU pilot to the Community of Practice.
- Encouraging Ownership and Strategic Planning: Fostering ownership and engaging in strategic planning activities within the Direct Grant Community.
- Facilitating Networking Opportunities: Providing networking opportunities and bilateral exchanges among participants.
During the event, several demos were conducted, including presentations on the EU IT infrastructure and national connectors.
Four parallel workshops addressed crucial topics:
- WP4: Recommendations for future EHDS Nodes
- WP5: IT Infrastructure & Central Services
- WP6: Metadata standards (Health DCAT-AP)
- WP7: Regulatory and Legal Compliance (common data application form)
Participants actively engaged in discussions during these workshops, identifying key challenges such as dependencies on EHDS regulation implementing acts, the role of ethics committees in data access, centralized SPE implications, and challenges in multi-country data analysis management.
This collaborative effort lays a robust groundwork for the future of the EHDS, promoting connectivity and innovation.
