European doctors urge for health to remain high on the EU’s agenda

CPME President Christiaan Keijzer said “European countries have made huge advances in collaboration on health, and we are pleased that the Council conclusions provide a further step to continue building the European Health Union.

“However, the health workforce remains in crisis, and if we continue in this path it will no longer function to meet patients’ needs. Whilst we welcome the Council’s commitment to develop a comprehensive approach, we urge member states and the European Commission to implement coordinated EU action on Health Workforce that prioritises retention and recruitment by safeguarding minimum training requirements and lawful practice conditions, as well as investing in workforce planning.”

CPME supports urgent policy action to implement the Europe’s Beating Cancer plan, and welcomes the Council’s call for the Commission to adopt the legislative proposals to achieve a tobacco-free Europe, reduce harmful alcohol consumption and improve health promotion through access to healthy diets and physical activity. Moreover, strengthening the fight against mis- and disinformation on health as well as decarbonising healthcare systems have to be taken up by the new policy-makers.

We welcome the Council’s commitment to combat antimicrobial resistance and strengthen stewardship and prudent use of antimicrobials, and we emphasise the pivotal role that doctors play in this endeavour. We also underline the need for an effective approach to antibiotic innovation. The proposed Transferable Exclusivity Voucher is not the way forward and are encouraged to see that other solutions are on the table.

We also take note of the emphasis on digital competencies and digital health literacy, and urge for doctors to be involved in the early stages of technology development to be functional in everyday medical practice.