Recent high-profile cases in the UK have focused attention on concerns about the clinical competence and language skills of some healthcare professionals from other European Member States. There is potential for conflict between the aims of the European single market to facilitate professional mobility by removing barriers to freedom of movement, and the desire for greater safety, quality and transparency in the provision of healthcare services.
Now you have the opportunity to tell European decision-makers your views, via the NHS European Office.
On 7 January 2011 the European Commission published a broad consultation reviewing the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive. The NHS European Office has produced a summary of the consultation, which along with further background information on the original directive can be found here.
The deadline for responses to the current consultation is 15 March 2011. The NHS European Office will be coordinating a response on behalf of the NHS and would welcome contributions to this by 3 March 2011.
Following the EU consultation, a final evaluation report will be published, together with a European Commission Green Paper suggesting the way forward, in autumn 2011. There will be an opportunity for the NHS to input further views at this stage.