Nearly a year ago, the European Parliament decided to draft a joint own‑initiative report to address Europe’s growing healthcare workforce « shortage », from both a public health’s and an employment policy’s point of view (« An EU health workforce crisis plan: sustainability of healthcare systems and employment and working conditions in the healthcare sector »).
FOLLOW-UP TO A HEALTH MINISTRIES’ CALL
In its conclusions of June 2024, the Council noted « that the EU’s health system faces significant challenges. These include health workforce shortages, which member states and the Commission are encouraged to address through investment, digital tools, knowledge sharing, cooperation at EU level and adapted regulatory frameworks. » FEDCAR seconded that approach.
OPPORTUNITY FOR DRAWING ATTENTION ON WORKING CONDITIONS
In Brussels the report in preparation is an opportunity for many health professions to voice their concerns i.a. on working conditions (probably « the most effective primary preventive measure to protect the well-being of healthcare professionals » as phrased by the CMPE), including protection against violence and molesting, and got Parliament’s and Commission’s plain attention.
ASSUMPTIONS & DATA TO FURTHER COLLECT
The 2026 Council Recommendation on the Human Capital stresses that health workforce shortages remain one of the structural bottlenecks.
What are the figures?
The draft report estimates a « shortfall of 4.1 million healthcare workers in the EU by 2030 ».
This is contested.
OECD and Commission in 2024 estimates a shortage of approximately 1,2 million health workers in the EU (source : Health at a Glance: Europe 2024).
Actually the draft report’s estimation covers the European region of the WHO which is far bigger than the 27 countries of the EU.
The EU shortage by 2030 could in fact cover four times less, around 940.000 « doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists and pharmacists ».
The European association of doctors/CMPE calls on purpose « for the harmonisation and improvement of health workforce data collection, including comparable and disaggregated data on the number of practicing healthcare professionals, to support evidence-based workforce planning ».
A DRAFT REPORT WITH A LIMITED SCOPE
The first draft of the report was presented in late September:
-Hospital professions are mainly covered.
-Dental professions are not covered.
-Labour mobility is encouraged through the Professional Qualifications Directive.
-Calls are made to adopt « appropriate measures to implement the Professional Qualifications Directive in order to improve mutual recognition, in particular for general practitioners and nurses ».
A FLOOD OF AMENDMENTS ENLARGING THE DISCUSSION
800 Amendments have been tabled.
-Dentists are covered through the lens of working-conditions:
« Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure the proper implementation of the OSH Framework Directive [Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work] , considering that one in three nurses and doctors experience mental health challenges; « that the professional burnout of dentists is 13%, for pharmacist stress and burnout level varies between 30-50% , and technicians experience 24/7 production cycles reporting high levels of exhaustion and depression, » emphasises the need for support programmes to safeguard the well-being of healthcare professionals; » (amendment 381 by some members from the Socialists & Democrats party, as well as amendment 628).
-Dentists are covered in their preventive role (amendment 847) and through the lens of professional qualifications :
« Calls for the adoption of appropriate measures to implement the Professional Qualifications Directive in order to improve mutual recognition, in particular for general practitioners, nurses, « midwifes and dentists »; » (amendment 570 from S&D).
-The RPQ Directive is directly targeted too by the amendments:
–On one hand « substantial differences in training among the Member States » is underlined –as the FEDCAR and the dental sector do too– and should be better taken into consideration during the recognition of professional qualifications (amendment 565), according to the Patriots for Europe Group).
-On another hand, a mere review of the Directive is called for, « in order to ensure it covers the right professions, allowing true portability of qualifications (…) »(amendment 566), according to the Socialists&Democrats Group.
-The Directive’s digitalization is a frequent request (see e.g. amendment 577 from the Renew Group), in compliance with the European Court of Auditor’s recommendations and the EU Commission’s projects.
A TOO TIGHT TIMELINE?
The original target of adopting the report in the March 2026 plenary has been missed. Internal issues to the parliament have bee delaying the proceeding.
The committee vote is now expected to take place in June and the plenary vote in July.
It is unsure this gives enough time to review the 800 amendments and build compromise amendments before the Summer legislative break in August and before a packed parliamentary agenda expected for September. Responding to current and future challenges in Health and Care Workforce is also a true parliamentary challenge.
P.S. The article « Responding to Current and Future Challenges in Health and Care Workforce: How to Link Innovative Research, Policies, and Practices? » offers some good reminders to legislators on the multiple solutions to bring to this issue.