Health and Social Services, Social Services
Health and Social Services (HSS) is a large and diverse sector that encompasses a wide range of services including hospitals, child care, community health services, social work and care homes for older and disabled people. EPSU represents health and social services workers across Europe, including nurses, health care assistants, midwives, doctors, elderly and child care workers, social workers, laboratory staff, hospital cleaners and medical secretaries. We organise in public, non-for-profit and private services.
EPSU is the recognised European social partner organisation for workers in the hospital and health care sector throughout the European Union.
Luca Scarpiello is the EPSU Policy Officer for the sector. The President of the EPSU Standing Committee for Health and Social Services is Maryvonne Nicolle of CFDT Santé-Sociaux, France and the Vice-Presidents are Dietmar Erdmeier of Ver.di (Germany), Kirsi Sillanpää of TEHY (Finland) and Razvan Gae of Sanitas (Romania). Please find here a picture of the HSS Presidential Team 2014-2018, here a picture of the HSS Presidential Team 2018-2019 elected in the SC HSS on 2 October 2018 and here a picture of the new HSS Presidential Team 2019-2024. You can also get their contact details here.
Find out who is your national EPSU representative for health and services below.

S&D summit on a European Health Union – EPSU reiterates need to address funding, staffing and the role of unions and employers
The global pandemic underlined the need for the EU to have clearer policies and competences regarding public health threats. It has shown the importance of public health systems that can respond to crises and protect people.
Increase in fatal cases of COVID-19 among long-term care facility residents in the EU/EEA and the UK
Observed all-cause mortality among older people underlines the severe impact of COVID-19 in this population group. Residents in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are one of the most vulnerable populations, and particular focus should be given to the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 introduction and to

EPSU calls on the European Parliament to investigate the tragic effects of COVID-19 on the care sector
Today EPSU together with the European Disability Forum and the Age Platform Europe will formally call on the European Parliament to launch an investigation to assess the failures of authorities in addressing and managing the crisis in the long-term care sector during COVID-19.

EPSU represents social service workers in a high level exchange on the impacts of COVID-19
On Wednesday, 29 April, Jan-Willem Goudriaan was invited to represent EPSU in a high level exchange with European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit, Stella Kyriakides, Dubravka Šuica and Helena Dalli.