NMC Responds To House Of Lords Inquiry Into New Draft EU Directive On Patients' Rights

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 05 Oct 2008 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

NMC responds to House of Lords inquiry into new draft EU Directive on Patients' Rights

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the regulator for all nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, has responded to a House of Lords Committee inquiry into the proposed EU Directive on the application of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare.

The Social Policy and Consumer Affairs Sub-Committee of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union asked stakeholders for their view on the likely impact of the legislation, which was published in July of this year. The draft Directive sets out the rights of EU citizens wishing to receive healthcare in another EU Member State, including their right to reimbursement, information and redress.

In its response, the NMC welcomed the increased choice the Directive affords patients, but highlighted a number of issues which it would like the European Commission to consider. These include patient rights to information about nurses and midwives providing care.

Citizens seeking healthcare in another EU Member State need to be aware that rules governing the fitness to practice of a professional in another EU Member State may differ from the rules in force in her/his Member State of origin. This includes wide variations in the scope of practise of professionals across the European Union. Patients, furthermore, must be informed as to how they can make complaints about professionals in the Member State in which they are seeking treatment.

The NMC also highlighted the issue of liability in cross-border healthcare. Patients seeking treatment in another Member State may require follow-up care when they return to their home Member State, which raises questions around who is liable in the event of adverse outcomes.

The draft Directive also provides for prescriptions to be recognised across borders. The NMC is keen to ensure that prescriptions issued by nurses and midwives are recognised in all Member States, regardless of national legislation on nurse and midwife prescribing, in order to ensure continuity of care for patients.

Kathy George, NMC Assistant Registrar and Director of Standards and Registrations, said:

"In developing this draft Directive, the European Commission must ensure that patient and public protection remains the highest priority. Freedom of choice to receive healthcare in any EU Member State can be of great benefit to patients, but only if they can be assured that they are being cared for by professionals working to the highest standards of safety. Close collaboration between European regulators plays a vital role in ensuring this is the case. "

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the UK regulator for two professions, nursing and midwifery. The primary purpose of the NMC is protection of the public. It does this through maintaining a register of all nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses eligible to practice within the UK and by setting standards for their education, training and conduct. Currently the number of registrants exceeds 677,000. The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (The Order), sets out the NMC's role and responsibilities.

Nursing and Midwifery Council