As part of a new initiative launched by WHO/Europe, 32 non-State actor (NSA) organizations from across the WHO European Region have committed to taking action to help tackle the health and care workforce crisis.

The problems currently plaguing health systems in the Region are acute, and they threaten patient safety. They range from personnel shortages and insufficient recruitment and retention, to migration of qualified health professionals, unattractive working conditions and poor access to continuing professional development opportunities.

The initiative comes as part of the implementation of the Framework for Action on the Health and Care Workforce 2023-2030, launched by WHO/Europe at the 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe and endorsed by all 53 Member States in the Region.

The Framework gives WHO/Europe the opportunity to proactively engage with NSAs to help countries develop effective solutions to address their complex health workforce challenges and to design and implement appropriate health workforce policies. This reflects WHO's commitment to involving NSAs, which can bring important benefits to global public health and to WHO's work to fulfil its directing and coordinating role.

Close community connections

WHO/Europe is working with a number of partners to see the Framework put into action across the Region. The NSAs, which include nongovernmental organizations, professional associations and the Youth4Health network, are crucial partners given their close connections to communities and experiences of working with different parts of society, including millions of patients and health professionals.

Commenting on the establishment of the network, Tomas Zapata, Head of Health Workforce and Service Delivery at WHO/Europe, said, "Non-State actors can play a significant role in implementation of the Framework for Action, helping countries take the necessary steps to ensure a fit-for-purpose labour force that can meet the evolving needs of patients and the health systems designed to support them."

He added, "The formation of this network is a vital part of getting NSAs on board with that, and giving them a platform to make a real difference in tackling the complex factors behind the Region's health and care workforce crisis."

How NSAs contribute to improved working conditions for health professionals

NSAs have already contributed to the new initiative by, for example, sharing details on their research and advocacy efforts related to:

• working conditions and job satisfaction of junior doctors and nurses
• quality of medical and nursing undergraduate and postgraduate education
• gender inequalities
• health workforce global mobility
• informal carers in long-term care
• retention and recruitment of family doctors/general practitioners and nurses.

Going forward, the NSAs will continue to meet regularly with WHO/Europe, developing a community of learning on effective health workforce policies and exploring how their work aligns with and can contribute to the 5 pillars of the Framework:

• Pillar 1 - Retain and recruit: address health and care workers' needs;
• Pillar 2 - Build supply: strengthen education and training, skills and competencies;
• Pillar 3 - Optimize performance: redefine teams and skill mix, and use digital solutions;
• Pillar 4 - Plan: implement comprehensive health and care workforce policies, improve data, and coordinate multiple stakeholders in line with changing needs; and
• Pillar 5 - Invest: increase and sustain smarter public investment in the health and care workforce, which contributes to economic growth and societal cohesion.

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