Summary Info Joint HOSPEEM-EPSU Project (2014-2016)

Brussels, 31 October 2014

N.B.: The text below is copied (with very slight changes under sections "five phases" and "timeline") from the project-related website HOSPEEM set up.

HOSPEEM and EPSU have been provided support by the European Commission for a joint project aimed at implementing one of the two main priorities of the new work-programme 2014-2016 of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee of the Hospital Sector, i.e. the promotion of occupational safety and health. In this area HOSPEEM members and EPSU affiliates have identified “psychosocial risks and stress at work” and “musculoskeletal disorders” as the two main focal topics.

Aims & tools

The aims of this project is to:
- identify how actions aimed at preventing and managing these two occupational hazards can contribute to improved health as well as more attractive retention conditions
- help members to assess the impact of these two occupational hazards on the management of their healthcare institutions and healthcare personnel and to identify effective actions
- improve efficiency in the management of healthcare institutions and workplaces by reducing costs linked to loss of productivity, sick leave and occupational diseases within the healthcare sector.

The tools to achieve this objective are
- exchange of information/knowledge
- identification of existing guidance/good practice with high potential for transferability and cost-effectiveness.

Specific objectives

- 1. The action is aimed at implementing one of the two main priorities of the work-programme 2014/2016, i.e. occupational health and safety, and strengthen the role of European social partners in the hospital sector
- 2. The action will improve the functioning and effectiveness of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for the Hospital Sector. The exchange of knowledge will help create a common understanding of the situation and a common reflection on whether further actions are needed .
- 3. The action will contribute to the enhancement of awareness amongst employers and workers on the importance of a risk assessment with regard to prevention and risk reduction.
- 4. The results of the project will be disseminated within the EU Member States and towards the EU level. The results will also feed into the new EU strategic framework on safety and health at work that EPSU and HOSPEEM are expected to set out.

This project runs from the 01.10.2014 to the 30.09.2016 and comprises five main phases

- Preparatory phase: Meeting of HOSPEEM and EPSU Secretariats (lead: HOSPEEM and EPSU), kick-off meeting of the Steering Group (lead: contents: HOSPEEM, organisation: EPSU), publication of the call for tenders (lead: HOSPEEM).
- Phase II: First event: First conference on musculoskeletal disorders (co-organised by FEHAP and supported by HOSPEEM) Total number of participants 90/100.
- Phase III: Mid-term assessment and organisation of the second event (lead: contents: HOSPEEM, organisation: EPSU)
- Phase IV: Second event : second conference on psychosocial risks and stress at work (co-organised by JHL, Superlitto and Tehy, with support from EPSU) Total number of participants 90/100.
- Phase V: Follow-up (final evaluation and possible next steps) (lead: contents: HOSPEEM, organisation: EPSU)

Timeline

- 2 October 2014, Brussels, Belgium: Meeting of the HOSPEEM and EPSU Secretariats to launch the project
- 12 November 2014, Brussels, Belgium: Kick-off meeting of the Steering Group
- 25 March 2015, Paris, France: First conference on musculoskeletal disorders
- 4 June 2015, Brussels, Belgium: Mid-term assessment and organisational meeting of the Steering Group
- 10 November 2015, Helsinki, Finland: Second conference on psycho-social risks and stress at work
- 3 March 2016, Brussels, Belgium: Follow-up meeting of the Steering Group

Deliverables

- Two conference reports drafted by the expert and to be agreed upon by HOPSEEM and EPSU
- Two brief documents drafted by HOSPEEM and EPSU Secretariats summarising the main insight, conclusions and recommendations of each conference
- Dissemination: Dedicated section on the HOSPEEM and EPSU websites to form a permanent resource pack

This meeting was organised with the financial support of the European Commission