WRITTEN QUESTION E-1986/01 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Relocation of students to neighbouring countries and brain drain of qualified recruits owing to shortage of obstetric assistants in the Netherlands.
Date: 2001-07-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Netherlands, gynaecology, medical training, midwife, student mobility

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 40 E/155

(2002/C 40 E/167)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1986/01

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(6 July 2001)

Subject: Relocation of students to neighbouring countries and brain drain of qualified recruits owing to

shortage of obstetric assistants in the Netherlands

Is the Commission aware that a large percentage of births in the Netherlands take place at home, in

1.
which case the services of an obstetric assistant (formerly (cid:145)midwife(cid:146)) are required?

Is the Commission also aware, given that 120 deliveries per obstetric assistant per year is the
2.
absolute maximum and that there is at present a great shortage of obstetric assistants, that, at present rates
of childbirth, the Netherlands would require the services of 240 new qualified obstetric assistants annually
to ensure safety in childbirth at home?

3.
How does the Commission assess the fact that training establishments in the Netherlands have long
since had to reject two thirds of registered applicants for courses in this specialisation as a consequence of
cuts in training facilities and inaccurate population forecasts, with the result that present training numbers
have fallen far behind actual demand?

4.
How does the Commission assess the fact that for the past ten years, half the students in (cid:145)midwifery(cid:146)
training in the Belgian city of Turnhout have been Netherlands nationals, and that 50 new Belgian-trained
obstetric assistants join the profession annually in the Netherlands, while yet other obstetric assistants from
outside the Netherlands are also being recruited to make good the present shortage there?

5. What action does the Commission think must be taken to prevent the Netherlands from placing
disproportionately high demands on training places in neighbouring countries and on qualified obstetric
assistants from other Member States?

Source: Nederlands 3 TV, Zeven Dagen ((cid:146)Seven Days(cid:146)), 17 June 2001

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 2001)

1. and 2.
the number of obstetric assistants and the professional situation of these assistants in the Netherlands.

Response to points 1 and 2: The Commission notes with interest the information provided on

3.
The Commission underlines that, according to Articles 149 and 150 (ex Article 126 and 127) of the
EC Treaty, the Community has to fully respect the responsibility and competence of the Member States for
the organisation of educational and vocational training.

4. and 5.
under Articles 149 and 150 of the EC Treaty.

The Commission fully supports the cross-border mobility and training of students and trainees

In addition, one of the aims set out in the EC Treaty is to facilitate the free movement of professionals
within the Community. Consequently, the Commission can only support the right of fully qualified
professionals in one Member State to pursue their professional career
in another Member State.
to co-ordination within the Community
training conditions for midwives are subject
Furthermore,
(Directives 80/154/CEE and 80/155/CEE (1)). Consequently, there is automatic recognition of midwives(cid:146)
diplomas which fulfil the conditions required by these Directives.

(1) OJ L 33, 11.2.1980.