"eHealth Week 2010" brings eHealth Convergence to the Forefront

For the first time, the ministerial event known as the "High Level eHealth Conference" and the "World of Health IT Conference and Exhibition" will take place in the same week in a joint initiative called "eHealth Week 2010”, the most prestigious event in the European eHealth sector of the year.

BRUSSELS, October 5th, 2009 – For the first time, the ministerial event known as the "High Level eHealth Conference" and the "World of Health IT Conference and Exhibition" will take place in the same week in a joint initiative called "eHealth Week 2010”, the most prestigious event in the European eHealth sector of the year.

The Convention Center CCIB in Barcelona will open its doors from March 15-18th, to the most complete assembly of healthcare stakeholders in Europe. On March 15 th the prestigious High Level eHealth Conference – an EU event organised by the Spanish EU Presidency, the European Commission, the Government of Catalonia and the Foundation TicSalut – is a closed ministerial conference in its 8th edition, a milestone in the process undertaken by the EU Member States to work together to facilitate wider deployment of effective eHealth applications. In parallel to the High Level eHealth Conference, the fourth edition of the World of Health IT Conference & Exhibition (WoHIT), from 16 th 18 th March, will offer a compelling programme and exhibition to enable Healthcare transformation via eHealth.

The 16-18th of March will present five parallel session tracks (two for the eHealth conference, three for the WoHIT), common plenaries with European eHealth leaders, numerous networking opportunities and satellite events organised by key stakeholders. Alongside the conference, the exhibition floor will be a showcase of country pavilions and more than 60 leading industry providers. The exhibition will also feature an interoperability showcase and a dedicated theatre for industry solution presentations and product launches.

The joint event will bridge the two worlds that eHealth is striving to integrate: policymakers and eHealth users and promoters. Key leaders will address the European eHealth roadmap attracting prestigious regional and global media attention.

Prior to the conference, online networking tools will enable delegates to interactively participate in the conference by: submitting questions to panel moderators; organising meetings; networking with fellow delegates and accessing an online reference guide of eHealth solution providers.

Gérard Comyn, Head of Unit at the European Commission, ICT for Health / Information Society and Media DirectorateGeneral: "Building on the results of the Swedish Presidency, the Barcelona High Level eHealth Conference will be the starting point of a new set of actions on eHealth deployment."

The WoHIT has over the past four years seen a steady increase of delegates. With the introduction of a new conference format and an expansion of high level attendees, the 2010 delegate number is expected to grow by double digits. Key audience groups include: hospital CIO’s, IT providers, healthcare practitioners, government decision makers, end users and academia.

Jeremy Bonfini, Senior Vice President, Global Services at HIMSS: “There are enourmous eHealth investments being made right now by government and healthcare providers. WoHIT 2010 will give all stakeholders critical knowledge to the practical benefits of eHealth throughout the continuum of care.”