Last updated: 26 January 2007

President’s Message

Dear EFN Members and Colleagues,


As Europe strives to become the world’s most competitive, dynamic, knowledge based society by 2010, the EFN must be ready to meet the challenge posed by the advancement in technology, the increasing demand for health and social services, the mobility of professionals, and an ever aging population. Addressing the current health needs and developing the strategic direction for the future of nursing services is a complex and challenging task. The key to bridging the disparities between the strategic policy direction and actual practise is to formalise a process that ensures consistent nursing input into decisions that directly affect the quality, effectiveness, and cost of health care. The EFN continues to bridge that gap by providing advice and expertise to policy matters. Through your dedication and contribution we can continue to make a difference for the profession across Europe.


Annette Kennedy
EFN President

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26 January 2007

News from EFN

EFN Executive Committee meeting

The EFN Executive Committee met on 15 January 2007, in Brussels, and decided on the EFN Work Plan 2007, EFN Resolution on Continuous Professional Development, EFN Input to the EU Consultation on Health Services and the Consultation on Health Strategy. Furthermore, a second round of internal consultation was decided on the analysis of the Tuning Nursing Brochure to be validated during the June 2007 DG Education Validation Conference. The committee members agreed on the procedure to replace Dr. Beverly Malone in the Executive Committee and Unni Hembre, from Norway, has been nominated as the new chair of the EFN Public Policy Committee, in replacement of Beverly Malone. Finally, the Executive Committee took note of the Council of Europe Resolution on Ageing and the EU project on Patient Safety developed by the member states of the High Level Group.

For EFN members, it is important to put the following dates in your diaries:

  • General Assembly, 12-13 April 2007, Dubrovnik - Croatia
  • General Assembly, 13-14 September 2007, Brussels
  • General Assembly, 10-11 April 2008, Slovenia

Update

News from EFN Members

Following to the decision of the Libyan court, on 19 December 2006, sentencing the five Bulgarian nurses and the Palestinian doctor to death, accused of deliberately infecting more than 400 children with AIDS, EFN members actively lobbied National governments and some launched a petition calling to drop the death sentence against the six healthcare professionals. FNIB (EFN Belgium member) petition, with more than 50.000 signatures, was delivered to the Libyan Authorities (Embassy of Libya) in Paris, on 19 January 2007. EFN has lobbied the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Commission, and the plenary session in the European Parliament overwhelmingly adopted a joint resolution condemned the death verdict imposed by a Libyan court in December 2006. MEPs want to continue funding care and support to the children and their families affected by HIV/AIDS in Libya but want the Commission to consider a revision in the event of further negative developments in this case. 

For further information: http://www.fnib-lybie.be/

To read ICN Statement: http://www.icn.ch/Bulgarian_RN_MD_Libya.htm

Update

News from the EU

A New President for the European Parliament


On Tuesday 16 January 2007, the European Parliament elected its new President. The German Christian Democrat MEP, Mr. Hans-Gert Poettering, succeeded to the outgoing President, the Spanish Socialist MEP Mr. Josep Borrell. Mr. Poettering will lead the European Parliament for the next two and a half years until the next European elections in June 2009.

More information on European Parliament Webpage.


Protect Patient Safety

MEPs have issued a proposed resolution stressing the need to protect patient safety in all circumstances and urging the Commission to develop common principles and basic guidelines for health care guaranteeing patient safety. The EFN General Secretary currently lobbies the Member States and other Stakeholders in making sure nurses perspectives are incorporated in EU initiatives on education and reporting systems.