Context

On 23 January 2013 the IMCO Committee (Internal Market and Consumer Protection) adopted by a large majority about 30 amendments in the draft report of the MEP Bernadette Vergnaud (groupe S&D, France) on the EC proposal for a directive amending Directive 2005/36 / EC on the recognition of professional qualifications (including a regulation on administrative cooperation in the internal market information system).

The EurHeCA founders met in Brussels to review and sign the necessary documents for the formal establishment of the association whose legal form is an AISBL (International Nonprofit Association). On the basis of these documents, a Royal Decree has been published in the Belgian Official Journal

About fifty people gathered to hear the proposals and presentations by senior executives addressing a number of today health issues:

  • Michel VAN HOEGAERDEN, Director general Federal Ministry of health (Belgium)
  • Patrick FORTUIT, Vice-President of the National Council of French pharmacists
  • Bernadette VERGNAUD, Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur of the revision of Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications
  • Jürgen TIEDJE, Head of Unit European Commission (Directorate General Internal Market)
  • Henri LEWALLE, Coordinator of the cross-border projects between France and Belgium (OFBS and LuxLorSan)
  • Giovanni RIGHETTI, President of the Chamber of doctors and dentists, Latina Region (Italy)
  • Marc LANGE, Secretary general of the association EHTEL
  • Mariane CIMINO, Adviser of the association Phast

The health information system in Europe needs to reliably identify the health professionals (among those who have a diploma: those who actually practice a health profession, and those who are in contact with patients). Studies funded by the European Commission (DG Employment) show how it is now difficult to count accurately the number of healthcare professionals in Europe.

On October 26, 2010 the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) of the European Parliament held a debate between Members of European Parliament (MEPs) and national Members of Parliament (MPs) on the issue of qualifications directive " The internal market for professionals: how to make it work? Improving the Recognition of Professional Qualifications".

With the issuing of the Directive 2005/36 on the recognition of professional qualifications, an informal group of competent authorities for the 5 health professions impacted by the Directive (dental surgeons, doctors, midwives, nurses and pharmacists) from 15 EU State Members was established in 2006.

Continuous relationships with the European Parliament and European Commission (DG Employment, Market, Information Society mainly), with EU projects ( Netcards, IMI, HPCB, then epSOS, Calliope, STORK, TAS3…), with European associations (PGEU, FEDCAR, CPME, Ehtel...) facilitate the preparation and the realization of the HPRO Card work (2007-2010).

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