Regional Health Agency (ARS) - Brittany
Mission
Support / Financing / Regulation
Type of actor
Institutional player
Fields of intervention
Health / Social care
Intervention zone
Regional
What is a Regional Health Agency?
The ARSs are autonomous public institutions under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. They are responsible for the regional management of the health care system, in line with national guidelines and tailored to the needs of the population. Their work is embodied in the regional health plans (PRS), which are developed in consultation with all healthcare stakeholders in the region. These plans set regional health goals and priorities.
Missions
- Oversee public health policy, which includes health monitoring and safety, the definition, funding, and evaluation of prevention and health promotion initiatives, and the anticipation, preparation, and management of health crises, in coordination with the prefect;
- Regulate the regional healthcare supply to better meet needs and ensure the efficiency of the healthcare system in the outpatient (community and hospital), inpatient, and medical-social sectors (support and assistance for the elderly and people with disabilities). In practice, this regulation is carried out through the authorization of new healthcare and medico-social facilities and services, oversight of their operations, and the allocation of their resources.
- Promoting the emergence of new organizations and collaborations between healthcare and medical-social professionals to support a continuum-of-care approach through the funding of pilot projects, particularly under Article 51.
The Regional Health Agencies (ARS) are responsible for regional e-health policy in their respective regions. They implement the national digital health policy at the regional level with the support of a regional e-health development support group (GRADeS), to which they delegate all or part of the regional project management responsibilities. The ARSs support the development of core digital services (deployment of the DMP, use of secure health messaging systems, regional digital services for care pathway coordination, etc.) and encourage innovative pilot projects in all areas of health policy.
I have a project—how can contacting the ARS help me?
- To identify the initiatives undertaken as part of the implementation of the regional e-health strategy (regional telehealth services, ongoing projects, regional tools deployed, health priorities, etc.);
- To identify a testing ground and establish links with the regional branches of federations representing healthcare and medical-social facilities, representatives of private practitioners, user representatives, etc.;
- To understand the current regulatory framework and access reference materials.
At what stage of my project should I get in touch?
- Starting with the mock-up/prototyping phase: familiarize yourself with the e-health services currently in use, and seek out existing support programs for innovation in healthcare (e.g., calls for proposals from the DGOS, IReSP, ANR, Regional Council, etc.) depending on the project’s stage of development.
- During the development and implementation phase: identify a pilot site and receive financial support to carry out pilot projects aligned with current thematic priorities and the schedule for calls for proposals and calls for expressions of interest.
Do they fund projects?
Yes, the ARSs can fund pilot projects in response to calls for proposals or calls for expressions of interest.
Accessible Resources
Visit the ARS websites (under the “Calls for Projects and Applications” section).
Practical Guide
All the questions you need to ask yourself about the ARS.
Who is the right person to contact?
Each ARS consists of a headquarters and regional/departmental offices. To identify the contact person(s) responsible for digital health, consult the organizational chart of each ARS; their headquarters generally include a department responsible for innovation, digital health, and/or information systems (e.g., the Department of Innovation, Research, and Digital Transformation at the Ile-de-France ARS; the E-Health Department within the Information Systems Division at the PACA ARS; etc.).
Do you have to pay for ARS services?
No
Can the ARS provide individualized support for my project?
Outside of specific experimental frameworks (CFP, AMI, Article 51, etc.), the ARSs cannot offer individualized support to each project leader.
Find all the information about health care in Brittany on the regional page.
6 Place des Colombes, 35000 Rennes
The ARS Bretagne: A Fertile Ground for Innovation in Digital Health
The ARS Bretagne plays a central role in the healthcare landscape of Brittany. As a regional health agency, it implements the health policy defined at the national level, adapting it to the specific needs of the Brittany region. For those involved in digital health innovation, understanding the ARS’s priorities and initiatives is essential for developing relevant and impactful projects.
The ARS Bretagne is particularly focused on improving access to health services throughout the region, including in areas such as Rennes Métropole, the department of Ille-et-Vilaine, Brest, and Vannes. Initiatives aimed at optimizing care pathways, reducing disruptions in care pathways, and strengthening coordination among healthcare professionals and facilities are encouraged. The ARS is available to support stakeholders in their efforts.
Environmental health is another priority for the Regional Health Agency. The ARS is involved in monitoring water quality and the environment, as well as in preventing environmental health risks. Innovative projects that contribute to improving environmental health in Brittany are therefore particularly welcome.
The ARS Bretagne regularly issues calls for projects and calls for applications to support innovative initiatives. These calls for projects and applications may cover a variety of areas, such as telemedicine, prevention, improving the quality of health and medical-social facilities, or the development of new digital services for patients and healthcare professionals.
In addition, the ARS plays an important role in implementing vaccination campaigns, such as the meningococcal vaccination campaign. It works to inform and raise awareness among the public about the importance of vaccination in protecting everyone’s health. Initiatives that help improve vaccination coverage in Brittany are therefore encouraged. The framework for vaccination campaigns is defined in collaboration with regional partners.
In summary, the ARS Bretagne is a key player for innovators in digital health. By understanding its priorities and actions, and by participating in calls for proposals, it is possible to develop projects that meet the needs of the Breton population and contribute to improving health in Brittany.