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Two days of fruitful exchanges in Bilbao on Occupational Safety and Health in Europe’s health and social care sector: key findings and policy insights

Organised by European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) in November 2026, the conference brought together findings from more than 12 research studies conducted over recent years, offering an opportunity to reflect on the state of occupational safety and health across Europe’s health and social care sectors and discuss their policy implications.

HOSPEEM and its members have contributed to several of these research efforts, notably by providing data and insights from the employers’ perspective.

The conference also provided an opportunity to highlight the work of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for the Hospital and Healthcare Sector (SSDC-HS) on occupational safety and health, and the contribution of European socialdialogue to addressing OSH challenges in the hospital sector.

This event in Bilbao provided a valuable opportunity for HOSPEEM to exchange perspectives with researchers and sectoral stakeholders, share experiences from the hospital sector and highlight the role of evidence and social dialogue in supporting healthy and safe working environments in health and social care.

Read more about the research here

News Hospeem

20 years of Sectoral Social Dialogue in the Hospital and Healthcare Sector

On 4 November 2026, HOSPEEM and EPSU celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for the Hospital Sector (SSDC-HS), marking two decades of dialogue, cooperation and joint efforts between healthcare employers and trade unions at the European level.

The anniversary celebration brought together representatives of the European Commission, WHO Regional Office for Europe, and current and former social partners to reflect on the achievements of the past 20 years, share experiences and lessons learned, and look ahead to the future of social dialogue in the sector.

Nicolas Pradalié (DG EMPL) and Katarzyna Ptak Bufkens (DG SANTE) highlighted the institutional perspectives from the European Commission, while Margrieta Langins (WHO Regional Office for Europe) shared a contribution on behalf of WHO/Europe.

The celebration also featured reflections from current and former social partners, including Kirsi Sillanpää, Tjitte Alkema, Razvan Gae, Marta Branca.

EPSU General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan and HOSPEEM Secretary General Sylvie Slangen shared their aspirations for the next 20 years. In her speech, Sylvie Slangen shared:

“Twenty years of European social dialogue in the hospital and healthcare sector have taught us that our strength lies in learning from our differences and working towards shared goals. Employers and trade unions bring valuable knowledge and experience to strengthen healthcare systems across Europe. We value the European Commission’s support and look forward to building on this partnership, with mutual trust and respect for national realities.”

The plenary meeting also addressed several important topics shaping the future of the European healthcare workforce:

  • Skill mix: Anita Jans, Director of Patient Care at Sint-Truiden Hospital, and Bob Van Santbergen, Healthcare Staff Advisor at Zorgnet-Icuro, shared their perspectives on skill mix in healthcare. Presenters gave a valuable insight into new models of care, that embrace a broader view of roles and competencies through a dynamic interprofessional approach. They described how to pilot a skill mix strategy in different ways and in different hospitals illustrating recent organizational changes and evolving paradigms in the healthcare and hospital sector.

  • Fair Labour Mobility Package: DG EMPL presented the European Commission’s initiative and its relevance for the healthcare sector.
  • Katarzyna Ptak-Bufkens (DG SANTE) presented the report of the Health Systems Performance Assessment Expert Group, addressing staffing levels across European healthcare systems.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to continuing this collaboration, bringing new perspectives and developing new ways of working together to support the healthcare workforce of tomorrow.

A big thank you to all current and former members, speakers and partners who have contributed to these 20 years of European social dialogue!

 

News Hospeem

HOSPEEM joins stakeholders from across Europe at the 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee in Copenhagen

In October 2026, HOSPEEM attended the 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in Copenhagen.

HOSPEEM & European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) used the occasion of the Ageing is Living strategy to showcase the work undertaken by the European social partners in this field. This is one example of how employers and trade unions can work together to contribute to addressing shared challenges in the hospital and healthcare sector.

The Regional Committee also approved a roadmap for action on AI in health in Europe, a strategy on non-communicable diseases and health promotion, and launched work on a future strategy for mental health.

As health systems navigate major transformations, social dialogue offers employers and trade unions a valuable means of addressing their implications and developing practical responses together.

Activities, News Hospeem

EU-OSHA Campaign – Preventing psychosocial risks at work

HOSPEEM becomes an official campaign partner of the EU-OSHA 2026-2028 Healthy Workplaces campaign. On 13 October 2026, EU-OSHA and Commissioner Roxana Mînzatu launch the Healthy Workplaces Campaign on Mental Health at Work, bringing a renewed focus on preventing and managing psychosocial risks and supporting mentally healthy workplaces across Europe. The campaign includes a specific focus on the health and social care sector, recognising the particular psychosocial challenges faced by those working in care. HOSPEEM is proud to be a partner of the campaign. As Sylvie Slangen, HOSPEEM Secretary General, puts it:
“The healthcare workforce is the backbone of our health systems – they too need protection and support. Joining EU OSHA’s Healthy Workplaces campaign on Mental Health at Work is a natural extension of our commitment as HOSPEEM to safeguard those who care for others.”

For HOSPEEM, preventing psychosocial risks means supporting practical, effective approaches at workplace level, promoting the exchange of experience and good practices, and recognising the diversity of healthcare workplaces and working environments.

Projects Hospeem

Learning from Finland: Preparedness in the Healthcare Sector

On 10-11 September 2026 HOSPEEM organised a study visit to Local Government and County Employers (KT). As part of the EU-funded BRIDGES project, our first study visit in Helsinki, Finland, brought together healthcare employers from Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Latvia and Portugal to exchange experiences and practical approaches to preparedness.

KT’s CEO Henrika Nybondas-Kangas welcomed the participants and explained the current state of play on preparedness in Finland.

In her speech, HOSPEEM Secretary General Sylvie Slangen highlighted the importance of capacity-building among employers’ organisations and the exchange of good practices on the topic.

Overall, over 1.5 days, participants:

  • learned about the work of KT and the role of social dialogue in Finland;
  • visited Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) to learn more about preparedness in the Finnish healthcare system;
  • heard from the Wellbeing Services County of North Karelia about preparedness and the role of exercises in strengthening readiness in practice;
  • exchanged good practices and experiences with Portuguese Association of Private Hospitals (APHP) and Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR);
  • took part in a tour de table, with participants from Belgium and Latvia sharing their national perspectives and approaches to preparedness;
  • discussed the latest developments at EU level, with a particular focus on the EU Preparedness Union Strategy and its relevance for social partners in the hospital and healthcare sector.

The study visit provided a valuable opportunity to learn from Finland’s experience, share approaches across countries, and identify common challenges and opportunities for strengthening preparedness in healthcare.

A big thank you to our Finnish hosts and to all colleagues who contributed their expertise and openly shared their experiences. It was a great start to the BRIDGES study visits and an important step towards strengthening cooperation on building more resilient and prepared healthcare systems across Europe.

Photo gallery:

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News Hospeem

HOSPEEM Secretary General participates in the panel on Freedom to Stay

HOSPEEM Secretary General Sylvie Slangen participated in the SGI Europe “Freedom to Stay” event on 23 June, which brought together EU institutions, social partners, and stakeholders to discuss how Services of General Interest can support territorial cohesion, resilience, and citizens’ access to essential services across Europe. During the panel on investment and governance, she highlighted three key priorities for the healthcare sector.

First, healthcare systems must remain adaptable to changing demographic realities, evolving care needs, and workforce pressures through integrated and patient-centred models of care. Second, workforce sustainability has become the key limiting factor for healthcare system performance, making recruitment, retention, skills development, and realistic workforce planning essential. Third, stronger place-based governance and coherent EU support are needed to reflect local realities and ensure sustainable healthcare delivery across territories.

Sylvie Slangen also stressed that healthcare funding should be recognised as a strategic investment in social cohesion, preparedness, and territorial resilience.

Earlier in June, HOSPEEM contributed to the call for evidence on the Right to Stay in June 2026.

Activities, News Hospeem

2025 : A year of impact

2025 has been a year of impact for HOSPEEM turning priorities into concrete action. HOSPEEM successfully concluded key achievements, included the updated Guidelines on Third-Party Violence and Harassment, the Joint Policy Orientation, and the Joint Work Programme.

2025 has also been a year of transition for HOSPEEM. It is a moment to reflect on the strong foundations built over many years, while ensuring the organisation is ready to respond to the evolving challenges facing Europe’s hospital and healthcare employers. These developments take place at a time of transformation for the healthcare sector, where evolving workforce needs and changing skill requirements are driving new approaches across Europe’s health systems.

Download the 2025 report

All annual HOSPEEM reports available here

Consultations, News Hospeem

HOSPEEM contributes to the public consultation on the right to stay

HOSPEEM has contributed to the call for evidence on the Right to Stay in June 2026. A credible Right to Stay Strategy must balance ambition with realism. Ensuring access to high-quality healthcare does not necessarily mean preserving all existing structures in their current form but rather enabling systems to adapt in ways that safeguard patient safety, improve outcomes and ensure long-term sustainability. HOSPEEM is part of the Freedom to Stay alliance.

Read the post on the EU website

Read the full contribution in pdf

News, Social Dialogue Hospeem

Joint HOSPEEM–EPSU visit with DG EMPL Director-General Mario Nava to UZ Leuven Gasthuisberg

On 27 May, the Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), Mario Nava, visited the university hospital UZ Leuven Gasthuisberg. The visit was facilitated by the European Hospital and Healthcare Employers’ Association (HOSPEEM) and the European Public Service Union (EPSU) in the context of the European sectoral social dialogue in the hospital and healthcare sector.

The programme was organised by UZ Leuven Gasthuisberg, whose teams ensured a comprehensive and insightful visit. HOSPEEM and EPSU would like to express their appreciation to Gasthuisberg, its management, and the HR and communication teams for the excellent preparation and warm welcome, as well as to Zorgnet-Icuro, and to the local trade union representatives from ACV-CSC and BBTK-ABVV, for their contribution to the programme and exchanges.

The visit brought together representatives of the European Commission, social partners and UZ Leuven/KU Leuven for an exchange on the future of healthcare systems and healthcare work.

Discussions focused on social dialogue at hospital level, approaches to addressing labour shortages through recruitment, retention and working conditions, as well as skills development and training as key enablers for sustainable healthcare systems.

Participants also visited key clinical and training areas, including robotic cardiac surgery, the neonatal intensive care unit, and the STEPS skills centre, highlighting how innovation, advanced care delivery and structured skills training are integrated in daily hospital practice.
The visit provided an opportunity for social partners to engage with DG EMPL on shared priorities for the sector, including workforce sustainability, quality jobs, skills portability and the organisation of resilient healthcare services in a context of growing demand across the European Union.

The discussions underlined the importance of continued dialogue between European institutions, social partners and healthcare providers to support strong, resilient and well-functioning healthcare systems across the European Union.

Events, News, Projects Hospeem

HOSPEEM and EPSU host EU workshop in Prague on healthcare workforce challenges

EPSU and HOSPEEM brought together healthcare trade unions, employers, policymakers and experts in Prague on 4-5 June 2026 for the fourth workshop of the EU-funded project “Tackling Staff Shortages and Ensuring Future-proofing Skills in Health”. The workshop focused on the ageing healthcare workforce and intra-EU mobility.

Participants discussed key challenges facing Europe’s health systems, including ongoing staff shortages, demographic change, evolving skills needs, and the retention of healthcare professionals. The exchanges highlighted a range of experiences and good practices from across Europe, with a focus on strengthening workforce planning, resilience and the sustainability of healthcare services.

The programme included high-level contributions from Adam Vojtěch, Minister of Health, and Dr Ladislav Švec, First Deputy Minister of Health of the Czech Republic, who addressed the future challenges of human resources in healthcare. Ms Yana Andersen from the WHO Regional Office for Europe (Health Workforce and Service Delivery) and Ms Maren Hopfe from the International Labour Organization (ILO), Labour Governance and Sectoral Policies Department presented the state of play on the ageing of the healthcare workforce and the report on Health workforce migration in the WHO European Region.

Presentation by Dr. Ladislav Švec, First Deputy Minister of Health of the Czech Republic

The workshop also brought together representatives from social partner organisations and stakeholders from amongst others Sweden, Finland, Romania, Ukraine and the Czech Republic, who shared national and sectoral perspectives on workforce developments and policy responses.

EPSU and HOSPEEM would like to thank the Confederation of Employers’ and Entrepreneurs’ Associations of the Czech Republic (UZS-CR) and the Trade Union of Health and Social Care Workers of the Czech Republic (OSZSP CR) for their hosting and support in organising the workshop.

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