<p>THE TREATY for Europe (popularly known as the Amsterdam Treaty) was signed in Amsterdam in 1997 and ratified by the UK in 1999. The Treaty of Rome 1957, the Single European Act 1986 and the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht) 1992 were amended by this new treaty. Little has been said about it in healthcare circles, yet it is one of the most enabling pieces of legislation ever to come out of the European Union (EU). It covers political and economic issues of importance to all European citizens, such as strengthening the powers of the European parliament, increasing protection on data held by European institutions and transparency in European decision making.</p>