EDF is looking for a research consultant for evaluation of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare

Vacancy closed

The European Disability Forum (EDF) is a non-governmental European umbrella organisation set up to represent organisations of persons with disabilities at the EU level. Its membership includes 100 member organisations including European NGOs and national federations of organisations of persons with disabilities. EDF’s mission is to promote the equal opportunities and human rights of persons with disabilities towards the European Union.

In 2011, the EU adopted an important Directive – Directive 2011/24/EU on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare that sets out the conditions under which a patient may travel to another EU country to receive medical care and reimbursement. It covers healthcare costs, as well as the prescription and delivery of medications and medical devices.

This year, the European Commission is evaluating the implementation of the Directive. In this context, EDF is preparing a policy paper evaluating the inclusion of the rights of patients with disabilities in cross-border healthcare in the European Union.

EDF policy paper will look at the current impact of the cross-border healthcare directive on persons with disabilities and how well it is implemented in the 27 EU members states in order to draw recommendations for the evaluation of the cross-border healthcare directive.

The consultant will be tasked to collect comparative data in 2 fields that correspond to obligations under the directive and one field related to protection against discrimination in the EU:

• Provision of targeted information for persons with disabilities: Assess whether the national contact points provide targeted information to patients with disabilities (for instance in relation to the accessibility of hospitals and healthcare services, including on sexual and reproductive health services)
• Cost reimbursement for extra disability related costs: Assess which countries reimburse other costs, such as accommodation and travel costs, and extra costs faced by persons with disabilities when receiving cross border healthcare (in line with article 7.4)
• Protection against discrimination in the field of healthcare: Map the level of protection against disability-based discrimination in EU countries (by looking at which countries has legislation prohibiting discrimination in healthcare on the grounds of disability and whether they include provision on reasonable accommodation)

The consultant will also be tasked to create maps evaluating the 3 points.

• Official self-employed status (registered with VAT)
• Previous experiences in carrying consultations in the field of disability, human rights and health
• Research skills and experience in researching and analysis EU countries’ legislation
• Fluent in written and spoken English – knowledge of additional EU languages is an advantage
• Persons with disabilities from all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Duration of work estimated: 7 days
Daily rate: 350 € VAT excluded
Timeframe for conducting the work- to be discussed but estimated in April 2021
Application deadline: Sunday 4th of April

• Curriculum vitae
• Short cover letter
• A proposal on how the research will be carried out, including schedule (maximum 2 pages)
• You may also add relevant publications you have carried out in this field