Strategic Intelligence Monitor on Personal Health Systems Phase 3 (SIMPHS3). Healthcare PPI, Galicia (Spain). Case Study Report

Abstract

The ultimate objective of the SIMPHS research is to provide an understanding of the role of ICT in facilitating integrated health and social care. Therefore, a key aspect to be considered is how these technological elements (e.g. devices, platforms, medical records systems) are procured within European health and social care systems and to explore the benefits of innovative approaches to this process. Indeed, the fact that the public sector is by far the largest buyer and consumer of health care products and services in Europe creates an opportunity for using procurement process of ICT on a strategic level. The European Commission is behind several ongoing initiatives and is planning further ones with the aim to foster the use of innovative public procurement tools in the healthcare field and specifically in relation to innovative technologies . This is why it was deemed relevant in the context of the SIMPHS3 research to explore public procurement experiences and try to draw lessons from innovative public procurement initiatives in the healthcare field. We identified the initiatives currently developed in this area by the regional government of Galicia (Spain) as particularly relevant not only because of their comprehensive and ambitious scope, but also because of the highly innovative approach that has been developed and implemented in that region. In addition, as the Galician project makes use of different procurement tools, it allows us to present findings that may be relevant for a wider spectrum of stakeholders and experiences.