The European Office, based in Brussels and London, is funded by the Strategic Health Authorities and is part of the NHS Confederation.
The Office covers a wide range of EU policy and legislative developments which have implications for the NHS, with a dedicated section on the NHS Employers website also covering European employment policy issues. In addition we offer a range of opportunities for NHS organisations to engage with EU affairs, to access EU support for innovation and to get involved in our work.
We will also host several events at the NHS Confederation 2012 Annual Conference. Sign up now.
Latest news
Get to grips with qualification change
The Health Service Journal has published an article by the NHS European Office on the proposed changes to the EU Directive governing the mobility of health professionals across Europe. Read the article here and see our page on the mobility of health professionals.
European workforce for health
The European Commission has identified several measures to stimulate jobs across the health sector. The Action Plan for the EU Health Workforce lists areas in which the Commission will support EU countries to work together. Initiatives include developing recommendations for the training requirements of healthcare assistants; creating a European Skills Council on nursing and care workers, improving workforce planning and forecasting, and mapping effective recruitment and retention strategies. Find out more.
Draft 2013 FP7 health work programme published
The European Commission has published a draft of its forthcoming annual call for health research projects. The 2013 FP7 funding call is expected to be officially released in July but this early draft is a useful indicator of the areas in which it will concentrate. See if the chosen priorities fit with your work programmes.
Health systems in financial crisis
The latest issue of Eurohealth has been published focusing in particular on the effect of the financial crisis on health policy across Europe and how certain health systems have responded. Find out more here.
Join the NHS European Office at the Confederation Annual Conference
The NHS European Office will host three sessions at the forthcoming NHS Confederation 2012 Annual Conference. With speakers from Spain, Finland, as well as the UK, we will be covering examples of integrated healthcare, cross-border healthcare and changes to the procurement landscape. See the conference website.
EU Innovation marketplace now open!
The European Commission has officially launched its interactive website, the 'marketplace for innovative ideas'. The marketplace is part of the European Innovation Partnership and is designed to help organisations to work together to share and develop their innovative initiatives and projects. Read more about the Partnership and access the marketplace.
NHS Confederation Chief Executive lobbies Brussels directly
Mike Farrar and Ivan Ellul from the NHS Commissioning Board visited Brussels on Wednesday 1 February to develop a better understanding of the increasing implications for the NHS of EU affairs. The visit included meetings with several Members of the European Parliament and with the EU Commissioner with overall responsibility for health. Among the various issues discussed were the revisions to the public procurement rules, the revision of the EU Clinical Trials Directive, and NHS access to EU funding. Find out how to engage with the NHS European Office.
New EU procurement rules propose special regime for health service contracts
The NHS European Office has published a briefing on the European Commission's new legislative proposals for public procurement in the EU. The rules are designed to streamline public purchasing and propose a special regime for health service contracts. See our public procurement page for more information and to download the briefing.
EU to strengthen checks on mobility of health professionals
Download the NHS European Office's briefing on the European Commission's new legislative proposals for the rules governing the movement of healthcare professionals across Europe. The proposals recognise stronger checks on the movement of European healthcare workers are necessary to protect NHS patients from unsafe practice. Read more now on the mobility of health professionals web page.
Report into Alzira model of integrated healthcare published
The NHS European Office has now published its report from the study visit to examine the Alzira model of integrated healthcare, from the Spanish region of Valencia. This Alzira model is an innovative approach to public-private partnership where a private provider receives a fixed annual sum to provide free, universal healthcare for a given population. Download the report here.
Negotiations to revise the Working Time Directive have begun! 
Employers and trade unions representatives at EU level met formally for the first time in December 2011 to negotiate on a revision to the European Working Time Directive. Further meetings are scheduled to take place throughout the first half of 2012. See our press release here and our NHS Employers pages for more information.
HSJ coverage of EU law on cross-border healthcare
The Health Service Journal's Resource Centre featured an article by the NHS European Office on the implications for the NHS of the EU Directive on cross-border healthcare. Looking ahead to the Directive's implementation in 2013, the article gives an insight into the challenges and opportunities that may arise for NHS commissioners and providers. Access the article here and see our cross-border healthcare page for more information.
New EU Energy Efficiency Directive could cost millions
Following the vote in the European Parliament at the end of March, negotiations are now underway between the European Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament to find a common position on the proposals for a revised Energy Efficiency Directive. The proposals place particular emphasis on public sector bodies, requiring them to renovate annually at least three per cent of their total floor area, which could have significant implications for NHS organisations. Find out more here.