Courts take the lead looking after EU, in sickness and in health

HEALTH is one of those areas jealously guarded by EU member states, who insist it must stay out of the clutches of the European Commission.

Member states have a seemingly contradictory attitude to a number of areas, including health. When health is defined as a market matter, to do with job creation and industry, they are happy to see it under the EU umbrella.

But once it has anything to do with patients, waiting lists, payment for treatment or operating the national health service, member states want control.