NHS engagement with the EU

NHS Confederation Conference23 June 2010

Why engage with the EU?Increasing EU influence on healthcare systems

EU laws have legal force in UK

EU institutions are seeking input from

stakeholders

EU is a source of funding

Exchange of best practice

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 developmen

ts

Inform NHS bodies of EU

policy and law

Brief and advise on

EU funding

Facilitate transfer of experience

Influence EU proposals in the interest of the

NHS

Broad policy focus

NHS as a provider and

commissioner of healthcare

NHS as a business

NHS as an employer

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 lawsome 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 practicesome 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

www.nhsconfed.org/europe

Elisabetta.Zanon@nhsconfed.org