The European Commission has recognized the pressing need for more doctors within the EU and emphasized the importance of enhancing working conditions for healthcare and care workers. Commissioner Nicolas Schmit from Luxembourg highlighted this issue, particularly emphasizing the necessity of making the medical profession more appealing, especially in rural areas, to prevent the emergence of ‘medical deserts.’
Addressing Care Work Shortages
In addition to doctor shortages, there is a parallel shortage affecting the care work sector, which faces increasing demand due to societal aging. Schmit emphasized that care work is often undervalued and poorly compensated in many countries, underscoring the need for improvements through better collective agreements and enhanced working conditions.
Improving Working Conditions
Schmit stressed the importance of improving working conditions for healthcare professionals, identifying issues such as long working hours and inadequate health and safety conditions contributing to high stress levels among workers. The action plan launched by the commission aims to address these concerns by urging member states to develop policies that attract and retain healthcare workers, particularly in rural areas.
Enhancing Retention Strategies
The action plan emphasizes the importance of retention strategies, focusing on ensuring safe staffing levels, lawful working conditions, and investing in the wellbeing of doctors and nurses. Sarada Das, the Secretary General of the Standing Committee of European Doctors, highlighted the need for measures to protect professionals from burnout and increasing incidents of violence in the workplace.
Political Commitment
Commissioner Schmit’s remarks come in the context of his recent election as the lead candidate for the EU elections by the Party of European Socialists. His uncontested appointment reflects a political commitment to addressing labor and skills shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare and care work, signaling a concerted effort to tackle these challenges at the EU level.
SOURCE: Ref Image from euronews.com
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