Key international issues
Keeping track of current and future international developments is a key function of the international department.
At European level we monitor policy and proposed legislation within the European Union institutions, particularly focusing on health, employment and public services.
We respond to UK, European and international consultations on issues that impact on nursing staff, educators and researchers in their day-to-day work. You will find more on our consultations in the Policy section of this site.
We provide briefings and seek members views on recent developments and much of the European and international work we do is carried out in collaboration with our international partners.
The RCN also plays a wider role in development internationally and has partnered with nursing and midwifery associations in other countries such as Malawi and Kenya. In the UK we work with other non-governmental organisations to advocate for more and better resources for international development and for policies in the UK that promote health partnerships with developing countries and volunteering for health professionals.
As part of this work, the International department holds a joint annual event with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and other major humanitarian organisations to encourage individual member involvement and has a joint humanitarian fund with the Department of Health and the British Medical Association to encourage small scale health projects and partnerships.
Latest developments
Agreement reached on the European Working Time Directive
June 2008: The majority of employment Ministers from all European Union member states agreed a compromise draft review of the contentious Working Time Directive that only goes in part to incorporate judgements from the European Court of Justice. The main points in this complex agreement are:
- The maximum number of hours worked in a working week is 48-hours calculated over either a four-month period or up to one year, depending on contractual arrangements.
- Opting-out of a 48-hour working week continues with certain caveats
- On-call time will be divided into active and inactive, only active on-call time can be counted as working time for employees who do not wish to opt-out of the maximum 48-hour working week.
- Employees who chose to opt-out will have a maximum working week of 60-hours or 65-hours if inactive on-call time is included.
- Employees must record the number of hours an employee works for those who choose the opt-out clause.
European Union proposal on cross-border health care
The proposal on patients' rights to cross-border health care was issued by the European Commission on 2 July. The RCN is cautiously welcoming this proposal as it clarifies the rights and responsibilities of patients seeking care in other EU member states. The RCN is looking forward to working closely with EU decision-makers and our European counterparts to ensure that equity and quality are at the heart of cross-border care.