MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Addressing healthcare workforce shortages through innovation – E-001595/2025(ASW)

The Commission acknowledges that health workforce shortages are a challenge in the EU[1]. Under Article 168(7) of the Treaty[2], Member States are responsible for the organisation of their health workforce. Healthcare innovations can help address workforce shortages, but a skilled and involved workforce is essential for their impact.

Several initiatives strengthen digital health skills and promote health innovations. The European Health Data Space (EHDS)[3] optimises health data use to enhance healthcare, drive innovation and support policymaking. The XiA Project[4] empowers healthcare professionals with skills for real-world application of EHDS-related standards.

The BeWell[5] partnership develops digital health competencies for the health workforce. Seven training projects[6] strengthen digital skills for (non-)clinical staff, crucial for transforming health systems.

Another action[7] integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare by building expert communities, promoting education for healthcare providers, and supporting policymaking.

MS also receive direct grants to establish Health Data Access Bodies (HDAB)[8], and a capacity-building project enhances HDAB’s staff skills, supporting innovation and AI-driven advancements.

The European Partnership Transforming Health and Care Systems[9] under Horizon Europe enhances the availability, skills and wellbeing of the healthcare workforce and boosts healthcare digitalisation. Five research projects[10] target the resilience and mental wellbeing of this workforce.

The Commission also offers country-specific support on workforce through the Recovery and Resilience Facility[11], the Technical Support Instrument,[12] and the Cohesion Policy[13].

• [1] OECD/European Commission (2024), Health at a Glance: Europe 2024: State of Health in the EU Cycle, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/b3704e14-en.
  Commission Communication on Labour and skills shortages in the EU: an action plan, COM(2024) 131 final (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52024DC0131) page 2 and 14.
• [2] Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT&from=en.
• [3] European Health Data Space Regulation (EHDS) https://health.ec.europa.eu/ehealth-digital-health-and-care/european-health-data-space-regulation-ehds_en.
• [4] https://health.ec.europa.eu/ehealth-digital-health-and-care/ehds-action/projects-supporting-ehds_en https://brudhi.iscte-iul.pt/2025/01/21/introducing-the-xia-project-transforming-healthcare-through-digital-interoperability-education/.
• [5] https://bewell-project.eu/.
• [6] Skills and Healthcare: training opportunity for Health Professionals under the EU4Health Programme: https://year-of-skills.europa.eu/news/skills-and-healthcare-training-opportunity-health-professionals-under-eu4health-programme-2023-10-16_en.
• [7] EU-funded projects contributing to the implementation of the European Health Data Space: https://hadea.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-funded-projects-contributing-implementation-european-health-data-space-2025-03-28_en.
• [8] EU-funded projects contributing to the implementation of the European Health Data Space: https://hadea.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-funded-projects-contributing-implementation-european-health-data-space-2025-03-28_en.
• [9] European Partnership on Transforming Health and Care Systems | THCS | Projekt | Fact Sheet | HORIZON | CORDIS | European Commission https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101095654/fr.
• [10] Resilience and mental wellbeing of the health and care workforce | Programme | HORIZON | CORDIS | European Commission https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/HORIZON_HORIZON-HLTH-2023-CARE-04-02/en.
• [11] Recovery and Resilience Facility https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility_en.
• [12] Technical Support Instrument (TSI): https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/technical-support-instrument/technical-support-instrument-tsi_en.
• [13] Cohesion Policy: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/2021-2027_en.