Launch of the first EU action to address nurse shortages shows positive impact of European Health Union 

The Commission is launching the first EU action to support member states in retaining and attracting nurses, with a budget of €1.3 million under the EU4Health programme. This takes place in Warsaw during a meeting of the chief medical, nursing and dental officers, in the context of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The action is established by the European Commission in partnership with WHO Europe. This follows the Commission’s contribution agreement with the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO Europe), signed in September 2024. 

The action will involve activities across all EU member states over a 36-month period, with particular focus given to those countries with significant health workforce challenges. Through close co-operation with member states, nurses’ organizations and social partners, this initiative will be tailored to specific needs at national and subnational level. The main activities of the initiative include mentoring programmes to attract a new generation of nurses, nurse workforce impact assessments to understand the problems behind the structural shortages, strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of nurses, and actions helping to reap benefits of the digital transformation and AI. 

Health and Animal Welfare Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi (pictured) said: “Nurses are a crucial part of health systems as they are often the closest link with the patients. We currently face a shortage of 1.2 million doctors, nurses and midwives across the EU, and there is a decline in interest in nursing careers across more than half of EU countries. The action launched today shows our commitment to addressing the shortage of nurses in member states. I hope that it will help to attract young talent into the profession and retain our valuable professionals. I am looking forward to working closely with WHO Europe on this action.”  

Share this article: