EFN UPDATE - APRIL 2010
News from the EU
Education - Bologna process
The European Commission presented a report entitled “Focus on higher education in Europe 2010: impact of the Bologna process” which reveals that, ten years after the launch of the Bologna Process aiming to reform the European higher education to make it more compatible, comparable, competitive and attractive for students, 46 countries participating in the Bologna Process still encounter some difficulties in modernising their higher education. According to the report, this process has largely met its initial objectives, thanks to a joint approach. The three-cycle degree system and higher quality standards are now the norm across Europe, although recognition of qualifications is still a problem in some cases.
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MEPs call for equal pay between men and women
The continuing pay gap between men and women in the EU, the difficulties in reconciling private and professional life, violence against women, and more female MEPs, were some of the issues raised in the European Parliament on the occasion of the International Women's Day, on 8 March 2010. Recalling the Women's Charter presented on 5 March 2010, which aims at a gender equality plan for next 5 years, several MEPs criticised the fact that the European Commission presented this new plan without having consulted civil society first. Swedish MEP Eva-Britt Svensson (GUE/NGL) also concerned about the weak content of the Charter, proposed to use time until next Women's Day in 2011 to discuss with the European Parliament and the civil society on the proposal.
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European Commission 2010-2014 - Policy commitments
The 2010-2014 European Commission is the first college to take office under the Lisbon Treaty. Burson-Marsteller Brussels has released a poster summarizing the main policy commitments made by the new commissioners during their hearings before Parliament in early 2010. Thus, you can follow and evaluate their progress in matching their words with deeds throughout the term of the Barroso II Commission.
Common Health Terminology
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the International Healthcare Terminology Standards Development Organisation (IHTSDO) announced a collaborative agreement to advance terminology harmonization and foster interoperability in health information systems. Nurses need to be able to access and share patient information in a standard way, to ensure safety, improve quality of care across the health care delivery system and communicate with other health professions. Optimal healthcare terminologies in health information systems support the goals of improved quality of care, enhanced patient safety processes, and valid data-based decision support for clinicians and policy development. Therefore, the ICN will be an active participant in the work of the IHTSDO and will facilitate involvement of the nursing community through the IHTSDO Nursing Special Interest Group and ICNP programme activities.
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Publications
Planning Europe’s healthcare revolution
Friends of Europe published a report on the European high level Summit on healthcare reform, organised by Friends of Europe in partnership with Microsoft and Novartis. The debate focused on issues such as the possible benefits of e-health and other innovative technologies, in particular with regards to reducing healthcare inequalities. Europe’s healthcare system is undergoing a revolution, with e-health leading the way. Advances in the information and communication technologies (ICT) industry mean knowledge can move quickly and services can be offered more efficiently. With this in mind, the EFN will participate in the EU project “Joint Action on European e-Health Governance Initiative” which aims to create a platform for Member States coordinated action at Decision Makers level, in order to ensure quality, continuity, safety and efficiency of healthcare built upon ICT.
Implementing Nurse Prescribing
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) released the third revised version of the ICN monograph on “Implementing Nurse Prescribing”, which reflects the significant developments in nurse prescribing policy and practice that have taken place in the last five years, describes the current practice and gives examples of new developments.
Notes on Nursing: A Guide for Today's Caregivers
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) also released a new version of Florence Nightingale's “Notes on Nursing: A Guide for Today's Caregivers”. This special book is meant as a 'gift' from nursing to the patients and caregivers of today.