12/07/2017
NPCE signs Joint Statement calling for more action on mental health in Europe
Much more discussion and action at European level are needed to underline the importance of mental health as well as the link between mental and physical health. Evidence shows that physical and mental health related problems are closely related. Mental health is central to the lives and well-being of all people, their work, the societies and the economy.
21 European organisations, including the NPCE, have signed a Joint Statement calling for more action on mental health in Europe. The signatories urge the European Institutions to ensure parity of esteem, the principle by which mental health must be given equal priority to physical health, to take a life-course approach to mental health, to pay stronger attention to mental health in the workplace and to improve mental health treatment in primary care settings.
You will find the full statement here: Joint-statement on mental health for the EU Health Policy Platform
16/10/2012
Proposal for a revision of the Professional Qualifications Directive
There is an ongoing discussion at the European level how Europe can meet the demand for highly skilled people in the health care sector in future and how it can become easier for professionals to find skilled jobs across Europe. The Professional Qualifications Directive sets the framework for professionals to start a new business or to find a job in another Member State. On 19 December 2011 the Commission has adopted a proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending the Professional Qualifications Directive (Directive 2005/36/EC). The proposal is expected to be agreed by the European Parliament and Council by end of 2012. Deadline for amendments is 15 October 2012.
Key elements of the proposal
- Introduction of a European professional card. The card aims to facilitate temporary mobility and to provide the possibility to easier and quicker recognition.
- Reduction of the deadlines for obtaining the recognition of qualifications.
- Information in one place about the documents required for recognition and online recognition procedure.
- Possibility of partial access to a profession, where the activities covered by a regulated profession differ from a country to another.
- Introduction of an alert mechanism between competent authorities to detect and avoid abuse.
- Introduction of common training frameworks and common training tests.
Interesting documents
09/04/2012
Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on serious cross-border threats to health
On 8 December 2011, the European Commission adopted a legal proposal to better protect European citizens from a wide range of serious cross-border health threats. These can be biological, chemical or environmental in nature. Existing rules on preparing for and managing health emergencies will be strengthened and the Health Security Committee will be given a stronger mandate to react in a crisis. The main measures proposed include to extend the existing co-ordination mechanism for communicable diseases to all heath threats caused by biological, chemical or environmental causes and to agree on European wide emergency cross border measures when a crisis results in large scale mortality and national measures fail to stop the disease from spreading.
The ENVI adopted an amendment, amendment 68 to Article 4 - Preparedness and response planning – paragraph 2 – point I with the following extension to the text of the commission: these shall also relate to preparations in the field of psychosocial emergency care.
The first reading in the European Parliament is expected in December.
Interesting documents
