(15 June 2023) On 9 June 2023 European Social Partners in the Hospital and Health Sector (EPSU and HOSPEEM) met in hybrid format to discuss the situation of workers and employers in their countries and on the European level.
Participants were updated on the recent initiatives of the European Union in relation to the healthcare sector including:
- European Health Data Space
- European Year of Skills
- Pact for Skills in the healthcare sector, developed within the 3-year project ‘BeWell’, with the participation of EPSU and HOSPEEM
- Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health (see EPSU press release from the 7 June)
- The 5th revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens or Reprotoxic substances Directive (CMRD)
- EU Summit on Occupational Safety and Health in Stockholm.
Information was also exchanged on the discussions by the EU Parliament relevant COVID Committee around the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic in relation to being prepared, as well as the current agenda of the European Parliament Health subcommittee.
Ralf Kleinschmidt (European Commission, DG EMPL) gave a Presentation of the Guidance on Hazardous Medicinal Products (HMPs), which was published in April and prepared with the participation of EPSU and HOSPEEM representatives. The presentation emphasises, among others, that workers who interact with HMPs must be given specific training by their employers to prevent the risk of adverse effects on their health. Further, attention was called to the fact that HMPs can affect a whole range of staff (for example the cleaning staff), and not just the medical and research staff.
Finally, Dr Jane Pillinger gave a presentation on the ‘Role of Social Partners in Preventing Third-Party Violence’ project. The speaker emphasised that it is very important that appropriate steps are taken to protect workers from potential abuses and harassment. After the presentation, the participants adopted the Action Plan of Preventing Third Party Violence and Harassment.
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