EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/202

(2004/C 84 E/0246)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0359/04

by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: Impact of lack of health care standards on free movement of labour and citizens

In the EU region there are no uniform standards for the care required by patients in particular conditions (e.g. those in intensive care or those recuperating in hospital after a hip prosthesis operation) or for the correct minimum ratio of various categories of staff to patients, which is an essential element in the satisfactory provision of such care. Naturally, patients must have the right to be able to trust that their health will not under any circumstances be endangered when undergoing medical treatment anywhere within the EU. It is equally vital for those working in health services themselves to know that it will be reasonably possible for them to bear the considerable responsibility associated with their work.

This issue is closely bound up with the freedom of movement of labour and citizens: from the point of view of EU citizens' safety it is important that they should be able to obtain proper care wherever they travel within the EU, should they require it. Similarly, in the interests of labour mobility, it is necessary to be sure in advance that, for example, if a nurse takes a job as a nurse in another Member State, he/she will not be compelled to take on the responsibilities of a doctor or, when doing any job, to do more work than is humanly possible. An analogy with EU rules on health and safety at work with reference to transport safety, for instance, is not difficult to find. Moreover, compliance with this requirement should be readily achievable in a field where recognition of professional competence is governed by EU directives.

Is the Commission aware of the discrepancies which exist, both between EU Member States and within them, in standards concerning care workers and directly relating to the safety of patients and to health and safety at work? How does the Commission view the situation from the point of view of attaining free movement of citizens and of labour?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(10 March 2004)

Minimum standards for the professional qualifications for health professionals are determined by the following Sectoral Directives: 93/16/EEC (1) (Doctors); 77/453/EEC (2) (Nurses); 78/686/EEC (3) (Dentists); 80/155/EEC (4) (Midwives) and 85/432/EEC (5) (Pharmacists).

There are, nevertheless, significant variations in practices and outcomes with regard to healthcare provision throughout the Union. Although Member States are responsible for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care, these variations show that there is scope for exchanges of best practice at European level to bring practical benefits to patients and health professionals across the Union. The high level process of reflection on patient mobility and healthcare developments across the European Union convened by the Commission and bringing together health ministers and other key health sector stakeholders made recommendations in a range of areas that would improve this situation, including exploring networking and cooperation on European centres of reference, strengthening health technology assessment, developing a framework for health information at EU level, and analysing Community activities in general to see how these can better contribute to access and quality in healthcare. The Commission plans to set out proposals responding to these recommendations through a communication this Spring 2004.

(1) Council Directive 93/16/EEC of 5 April 1993 to facilitate the free movement of doctors and the mutual recognition of their diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications, OJ L 165, 7.7.1993.

(2) Council Directive 77/453/EEC of 27 June 1977 concerning the coordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or Administrative Action in respect of the activities of nurses responsible for general care, OJ L 176, 15.7.1977.

(3) Council Directive 78/686/EEC of 25 July 1978 concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of the formal qualifications of practitioners of dentistry, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment and freedom to provide services, OJ L 233, 24.8.1978.

(4) Council Directive 80/155/EEC of 21 January 1980 concerning the coordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or Administrative Action relating to the taking up and pursuit of the activities of midwives, OJ L 33, 11.2.1980.

(5) Council Directive 85/432/EEC of 16 September 1985 concerning the coordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or Administrative Action in respect of certain activities in the field of pharmacy, OJ L 253, 24.9.1985.