Transcript Elisabetta Zanon (NHS European Office)

NHS engagement with the EU
NHS Confederation Conference
23 June 2010
Why engage with the EU?
Increasing EU
influence on
healthcare
systems
Exchange of
best practice
EU is a source
of funding
EU laws have
legal force in
UK
EU institutions
are seeking
input from
stakeholders
NHS European Office
Established at the end of 2007
Nationwide resource
Represents all NHS
organisations in England to EU
decision-makers
Part of the NHS Confederation
Based in Brussels and in
London
Office’s objectives
Monitor EU
developments
Influence EU
proposals in
the interest of
the NHS
Facilitate
transfer of
experience
Inform NHS
bodies of EU
policy and law
Brief and
advise on EU
funding
Broad policy focus
NHS as a
provider and
commissioner of
healthcare
NHS as an
employer
NHS as a
business
Influenced EU policy and law
some examples:
•Introduced changes to EU proposals on patient mobility
•Amended EU law on organ donation and transplantation
•Changed EU recommendation on patient safety and HCAIs
•Gained opt-out for hospitals from EU ETS
•Amended EU law on energy performance of buildings
•Influenced EU law on procurement of clean vehicles
•Responded to EU consultations on clinical trials, medical devices, health
workforce, health inequalities, information to patients, health and safety at
work, etc.
Assisted NHS to implement EU law
some examples:
•Advised on the application of EU competition law to NHS activities
•Briefed and advised on new EU law on public procurement remedies
•Provided guidance on current EU rules on patient mobility
•Assisted with transposition of EU law into UK regulations: EU ETS, EU
directive on procurement of clean vehicles
Advised on EU funding
some examples:
•Identified linkages with NHS innovation and research agendas
•Early intelligence and briefings on EU funding opportunities
•Provided advice on how to apply and on partnership-building
•Influenced priorities of forthcoming calls for projects
Facilitated transfer of good practice
some examples:
•Enabled NHS participation in study visits and EU exchange programmes
•Placed NHS speakers at several EU events
•Study tours to Brussels and meetings with EU decision-makers
•Facilitated exchanges with counterparts in other member states
•Organised visits of EU decision-makers to NHS trusts
Policy priorities in 2010/11
•EU proposals on cross-border healthcare
•Review of Working Time Directive
•Changes to EU law on clinical trials
•Review of law on mobility of professionals
•EU proposals on commercial transactions
•Review of EU law on industrial pollution
•EU developments on quality of healthcare
•Review of EU law on maternity leave
•Changes to EU framework on state aids and public services
Conclusions
Provision, organisation and funding of healthcare are national competences
Limited EU role in healthcare
Nevertheless, increasing influence of the EU
Important for the NHS to engage when EU policy is shaped
NHS European Office key mechanism
We rely on NHS frontline expertise
GET IN TOUCH!
www.nhsconfed.org/europe
[email protected]