UEMO Statement on the Adoption of the European Parliament Report on the EU Health Workforce

The European Union of General Practitioners/Family Physicians (UEMO) warmly welcomes the adoption by the European Parliament resolution on an EU health workforce crisis plan on 17 September 2026. The report represents an important political recognition of the growing workforce challenges facing healthcare systems across Europe and the urgent need for coordinated action at both European and national levels.irshare+1

UEMO particularly welcomes the report’s acknowledgement of the central role of primary care in delivering accessible, efficient and person-centred healthcare, as well as its recognition of the essential contribution of  general practitioners / family physicians to the sustainability and resilience of health systems. The explicit reference to the importance of continuity of care reflects a core principle of high-quality healthcare and a defining characteristic of family medicine.irshare

Across Europe, family doctors provide comprehensive, coordinated and continuous care throughout the life course. Strong primary care systems are associated with better health outcomes, greater equity, improved patient satisfaction and more efficient use of healthcare resources. Continuity of care strengthens the therapeutic relationship between patients and their family physicians, improves safety and quality, and contributes to better management of chronic conditions and multimorbidity.

At a time when many countries face shortages of healthcare professionals, increasing demand for care, and growing pressures on health services, investment in primary care and family medicine must be a central component of any health workforce strategy. UEMO therefore welcomes the report’s emphasis on recruitment, retention and resilience of the healthcare workforce, together with measures to improve working conditions, education and training, professional wellbeing and long-term workforce planning.cpme+1

UEMO calls on the European Commission and Member States to build on the momentum created by this parliamentary vote and translate the report’s recommendations into concrete actions. This should include stronger support for community-based primary care, policies that make family medicine an attractive and sustainable career choice, and measures that preserve continuity of care as a cornerstone of effective healthcare systems.

The adoption of this report sends a strong signal that Europe’s healthcare workforce crisis requires urgent and coordinated action. UEMO stands ready to work with European institutions, national governments and healthcare stakeholders to ensure that family physicians and primary care are at the heart of future health workforce policies, for the benefit of patients and communities across Europe.