The European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA) is the voice of nursing and midwifery within WHO European Region.Working in partnership and strategically with WHO and other key stakeholders we aim to influence health policy, improve the quality of health services and the health of people across the 53 Member States of the Region. We are passionate advocates of the central and unique contribution that Nurses and Midwives make to individual and population health and well-being across Europe and are committed to ensuring both professions are supported to deliver excellence in their practice. As the nature of care changes we believe that strengthening and developing the nursing and midwifery workforce through the provision of lifelong learning and research delivers excellence in public health and people-centered healthcare.
Global Strategy on Human Resources
The WHO regional office for Europe and the European Commission jointly hosted a technical briefing session in Brussels on 16 November to discuss the Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health (HRH): Health Workforce 2030. EFNNMA were pleased to be able to participate as a partner of the WHO European Region.
The 2014 World Health Assembly (WHA) requested that a new global strategy for human resources for health be developed in support of its commitment towards Universal Health Coverage and integrated and people centered health services. The strategy is to be submitted for consideration to the WHA 2016.
At the meeting Jim Campbell, Director for Health Workforce Department in WHO/Geneva, presented the strategy and emphasized that the overall goal was to ensure a health workforce to meet health care needs and support healthy living for all. This will require HRH policies and investment to support the development of the current health workforce, build capacity and leadership for HRH actions and maximize opportunities for gender equality, employment creation and economic growth.
EFNNMA support the vision and objectives of the strategy and at the meeting made an intervention to highlight and promote the Strategic Directions for Strengthening Nursing and Midwifery that was developed through the WHO European region with the support of EFNNMA and Dr Galina Perfilieva who leads for HRH. EFNNMA also highlighted the challenge of shortages, the need to support the development of the current workforce and the importance of positive working environments. EFNNNMA also identified the valuable role that National Nursing and Midwifery Associations can play to support the implementation of the strategy.
There were also important discussions on workforce planning, education and training, health professional mobility and skill mix.
EFNNMA look forward to continuing to work with WHO and the European Commission to increase awareness and understanding of the strategy as well as monitoring its implementation following next years WHA.