WRITTEN QUESTION E-3025/02 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Low hospital bed ratio in the EU.
Date: 2002-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, competence of the Member States, health policy, medical institution, organisation of health care

C 155 E/74

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

Cells and tissue cultures are widely used as a successful alternative to laboratory animals for many research
purposes, as well as for the manufacturing of medicines produced by living cells, such as interferon, and
for the diagnosis of infectious and genetic diseases. Finally, foetal bovine serum is also used in media to
produce antigens for vaccines. However, detailed information on the collection of foetal bovine serum is
not available to the Commission.

The Commission is planning an in-depth revision of Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986
on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member States regarding
the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. The issue of foetal and
embryonic forms will be thoroughly examined during this revision. The ethical aspects related to the
practice of collecting foetal calf serum will be therefore examined by the Commission within this context.

(2003/C 155 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3025/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Low hospital bed ratio in the EU

Recent reports in the media indicate that Spain had 162 608 hospital beds in 1999, equivalent to four
beds per thousand inhabitants. This is the lowest ratio in the EU and lower than the figure of 5,4 in 1980
recorded by the OECD. The ratio is even lower if we discount the number of beds which are unusable
because of works being carried out in hospitals. Hospital administration in Spain is decentralised and
measures concerning funding are therefore the responsibility of each autonomous region.

The fall in the number of hospital beds is a problem shared by all the EU countries, but the European
average is seven beds per thousand inhabitants. Is the Commission aware of this shortage of beds in
European hospitals? In view of the absence of European legislation on the subject, does the Commission
intend to promote legislation on this crucial issue?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2002)

Under the EC Treaty,
responsibility of the Member States, not of the Community (Article 152, paragraph 5).

the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care are the

The Commission is, therefore, not in the position to promote legislation on the issue of the hospital bed
ratio in the Member States.

(2003/C 155 E/085)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3026/02

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(23 October 2002)

Subject: EU-Sudan relations

Would the Council give details of the current status of its dialogue with Sudan, and the purpose of it? This
should include details of the personnel involved, the structure of the dialogue, progress made and the role
of the Council.

Would it also give details of the current position and immediate and long-term objectives of the dialogue
with Sudan?