On March 18th 2025, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Romana Jerković invited family doctors to a meeting at the EU Parliament, organized by the European Union of General Practitioners/Family Physicians (UEMO) President Tiago Villanueva and his team. The meeting was also attended by MEP and former Lithuanian Health Minister Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, along with key stakeholders, including Katarzyna Ptak-Bufkens (DG SANTE), Johan Bakke (Standing Committee of European Doctors - CPME), Călin Bumbulut (UEMO), Alvaro Ceramen (European Junior Doctors- EJD), Ana Catarina Moreira (UEMO), and Sara Ares (WE Working Party on Policy Advocacy). Discussions focused on the urgent need for concrete actions to address healthcare workforce challenges and digital transformation in the EU.
Romana Jerković stressed the need for immediate action rather than prolonged strategizing, expressing concern over the ongoing healthcare strikes in Croatia. She emphasized prioritizing investment in healthcare personnel, ensuring patient information accessibility, and safeguarding the well-being of GPs and other healthcare professionals.
Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis highlighted the shortage of doctors, particularly in rural and underserved areas, a shared challenge across the EU. He called for a strong healthcare network to deliver a unified message to policymakers, referencing the Bucharest Declaration as a key framework for workforce improvements.
Sara Ares (WE Working Party on Policy Advocacy) underscored the need for common European healthcare data to assess both population and workforce needs. She advocated for better primary care services, access to more diagnostic tests, streamlined administrative tasks—such as simplifying short-term sick leave procedures—and increased investment in primary care research.
Alvaro Ceramen (EJD) presented the perspectives of young physicians on workforce challenges, recruitment, and retention, sharing insights from the recent EJD study "From Tradition to Transition."
Katarzyna Ptak-Bufkens (DG SANTE) emphasized the potential of EU-wide collaboration and innovative models to adapt to evolving healthcare needs. She stressed that primary care serves as a barometer for the overall system and that reducing burdens on healthcare workers should take precedence over increased multitasking.
Johan Bakke (CPME) and Călin Bumbulut (UEMO) reinforced the importance of recognizing General Practice/Family Medicine as a specialty across all EU member states.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening primary care and improving citizens' health. The WE Working Party on Policy Advocacy extends its gratitude to MEP Romana Jerković and UEMO for organizing this important meeting.