The issue of Recognition of Professional Qualifications continues to divide policy makers’ opinions as economic objectives that stress Single Market freedoms and job creation must be reconciled with the demands health professionals and patient needs. There is increased concern that a relaxation of rules will endanger existing standards for training, safety and care. On 21 February 2011 DG Internal Market and Services organised a public hearing on to gather different viewpoints on the issue.
The all-day public hearing took place in the context of the public consultation launched by DG MARKT as part of its evaluation to modernise the Professional Qualifications Directive (Directive 2005/36/EC, aka Directive 36). The submission deadline for consultation responses is 15 March 2011, and EPHA has asked its members for input to its own draft response by 4 March.
The public hearing gathered speakers from the European Commission and the European Parliament’s IMCO Committee (Internal Market and Consumer Protection), as well as three panels composed of representatives of national governments, contact points, and various representatives of both the ”sectoral” professions that benefit from the ”automatic recognition” procedure (this includes general nurses, midwives, doctors, and pharmacists) and of those falling under the general system of recognition. Together they discussed the three themes contained in the Consultation Document, namely:
– A call for simplification;
– Integrating professionals into the Single Market; and
– Injecting more confidence into the system
Jonathan Faull, Director General, DG MARKT, opened the event by saying that a modernisation of Directive 36 is crucial as the existing rules translated into lost economic opportunities, therefore undermining citizens’ confidence in the Single Market’s overall potential. With regard to simplification, while most citizens do not expect problems in having their qualifications recognised, in reality about 30% of applicants experience considerable delays. Antoine Fobe of ”Your Europe advice” illustrated an array of problems related to the recognition process, e.g. ignorance of – and lack of guidance by – the competent national authorities, burdensome and costly administrative requirements, little cooperation between contact points, lack of content knowledge of the (legally non-binding) Code of Conduct of the Directive, ineffective use of the IMI system, incorrect implementation of the Directive, etc. Hence potential problems lurk at every stage of the recognition procedure, from the initial application to the decision-making process, from compensation measures to further obstacles for exercising professions even after recognition has been attained.
With regards to integrating professionals, the issue of partial access was repeatedly flagged, especially in the context of an ageing European society. However, despite the benefits this may hold for mobility and job market access, some health professionals remain cautious about such proposals given that job roles and profiles vary between countries, and quality of care and patient and consumer safety may be threatened by granting access to professions based on competences alone.
The third theme included presentations on the potential benefits of voluntary standardised European professional cards issued by the relevant competent national authorities, which is particularly supported by professions falling under the general system. If linked to national registration systems, such cards could be a tool for ”proving” professional standards and facilitate temporary mobility in particular. The issues of linguistic competence – hugely relevant for health professionals with patient contact – and how to best embed Continuous Professional Development into the Directive were also discussed. Various commentators also pointed out that the training requirements and competences listed for the health professions are in urgent need for updating.
Overall this public hearing confirmed that Directive 36 will need to be updated in order to make professional mobility more dynamic and desirable, however the differences in national mentalities, educational requirements and training standards, and even job profiles mean that harmonisation needs to take into account differences in sectoral and national professional cultures.
As mentioned above, EPHA is in the process of developing a consultation response in close collaboration with its members active on this dossier. The first draft version was sent to members for comments on 18 February 2011, and the revised draft letter will be circulated during the week of 7 March.
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For further information
Public Consultation on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive
[Directive 2005/36/EC
->http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/future_en.htm]
All presentations given at the public hearing can be found here
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