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.
WHO Europe Integration Policy Forum
On April 1st the WHO Regional Office for Europe convened in Brussels a high level policy forum to discuss how, in response to the health challenges of the 21st century, health services can be better co-ordinated and integrated. Bringing together key stakeholders from patient, provider and health professional associations with representatives from Member States and WHO technical programmes discussions focused on learning lessons from current examples of best practice, strategies to deliver patient centred care and the leadership skills required to support change. Representing EFNNMA, steering committee members Mervi Jokinen and Howard Catton participated in the forum. Both Mervi and Howard highlighted examples of where Nurses and Midwives are already innovating in their practice and delivering improvements in care and services for patients and also promoting health prevention. The outcomes from the forum will inform the development of the Framework for Action towards co-ordinated and integrated health service delivery that is being led by the WHO Regional Office.