European Parliament Intensive Care Interest Group
PURPOSE
The critical role played by ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges faced by Intensive Care professionals has led to the establishment of the European Parliament Intensive Care Interest Group.
The group represents a dedicated, separate and specialised space to discuss healthcare policy in the EU and Intensive Care Medicine, which has not previously existed in any form within the European Parliament.
The goal is to facilitate dialogue between Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and the Intensive Care Medicine community on all matters directly connected to the functioning of Europe’s ICUs and the field of Intensive Care Medicine. This exchange will be especially beneficial in the context of future crises for which the EU is taking steps to improve preparedness.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
1st meeting of the EPIC-IG
On January 25th 2022, a group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from diverse political affiliations joined forces to help shape the future of European health policy with the inauguration of the European Parliament Interest group on Intensive Care Medicine.
The first meeting of the EPIC-IG serves as a starting point for the discussions around the topic of ICM at European level.
During the first meeting, MEP Sirpa Pietikainen (EPP:Finland) and Istvan Ujhelyi (S&D; Bulgari) were appointed co-chairs of the EPIC-IG
MEPs and ESICM discussed the role and the mission of the interest group: The Interest Group on Intensive Care Medicine of the European Parliament will act as the nexus between this essential field of medicine and policymakers, bridging the gaps and bringing unique expertise to the debate around the EU health policy. It will put emphasis on topics such as the mutual recognition of qualifications, the importance of training for healthcare professionals, the exchange of best practices and investments in the human factor, the European Health Data Space and the ways to tear down the existing barriers to a fully functional European Health Union.
2nd meeting of the EPIC-IG
On October 13th 2022, a second meeting of the EPIC-IG was hosted on the premises of the European Parliament to continue discussions on the role and importance of intensive care medicine within the European Health Union. This first face-to-face meeting since the pandemic witnessed joint efforts of MEPs and the representatives of ESICM to raise awareness about the impressive efforts Intensive Care Units (ICU) teams do every day to care for their patients outside of a pandemic scenario.
The second meeting specifically addressed the topics of training and support for healthcare workers, patients and families but also hospital management, decision making and ICU capacity.
Furthermore, the meeting was also the occasion to shed light on severe infections (Sepsis) as it remains a reality for a lot of European patients and can lead survivors to very long-term consequences, similar to the ones seen with long COVID. To care for those so severely affected, ESICM advocated for a healthcare workforce that is properly trained but also has an adequate quality of life at work, not only to keep the standards of care high but also for the retention of workforce.
3rd meeting of the EPIC-IG
On 11 July 2023 the third meeting of the EPIC-IG took place at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), representatives of the European Commission and healthcare professionals from ESICM got together to raise awareness about the mental health conditions of intensive care workers and reflect on concrete solutions to facilitate their work in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
In response to the publication of the European Commission’sCommunication on a comprehensive approach to mental healththe EPIC-IG called for greater recognition of the mental health of healthcare professionals within the institutional communication.
The EPIC-IG concluded its landmark event, “Resilience of Intensive Care Healthcare Professionals: Promoting positive working conditions and mental health awareness” with a powerful outcome – a Joint Declaration co-signed by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and ESICM. The Joint Declaration puts forth concrete proposals to address mental health at the European level, such as a definition of burn out syndrome adapted to HCPs or a precise method on how to face this silent pandemic.
The signing of the Joint Declaration was a pivotal moment, highlighting the collective determination of MEPs and ESICM to drive change and improve mental health policies and initiatives for healthcare workers. The Declaration emerged from the intensive discussions, insightful speeches, and exchange of ideas that took place during the event, focusing on the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support throughout Europe
4th meeting of the EPIC-IG
On November 14th 2023, the EPIC-IG met for the 4th time in the ESICM office to prepare the ground for the next European elections and highlighted the most relevant topics of interest in view of the European elections.
ESICM organised a panel discussion with some Members of the European Parliament to address the following issues: the mental health of healthcare workers, the pandemic preparedness and response of the European Union, and antimicrobial resistance.
Healthcare professionals and policymakers exchange on these important issues provide concrete recommendations for the next European Parliament and European Commission on how to better address these topics that constitute the base of a solid and more resilient European Health Union.
The idea of drafting an EPIC-IG manifesto to provide concrete recommendations for the European elections came from the discussion during this EPIC-IG meeting.
5th meeting of the EPIC-IG
On April 2nd 2024, the fifth meeting of the EPIC-IG took place at the European Parliament in Brussels. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and healthcare professionals from ESICM got together present the new EPIC-IG Manifesto, and as always, to keep working with the European Institutions to raise awareness about the mental health conditions of intensive care workers and reflect on concrete solutions to facilitate their work in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
ESICM organised a panel discussion with some Members of the European Parliament to address the priorities for the next European Health Agenda and how policymakers can support healthcare professionals in intensive care medicine by improving working conditions and ensuring the success of the frontline services they provide to patients and families.
Additionally, the EPIC-IG Manifesto was signed by the MEPs and members of the ESICM Executive Committee. This Manifesto represents an unprecedented commitment among intensivists and policymakers to shine a light on Intensive Care-related topics and make it a priority within the wider European Health Union.
MAIN TOPICS
Meetings of the group will provide the opportunity for MEP participants to speak and for relevant guests to participate and offer expert insights. The topics of discussion within the Interest Group will include:
- Intensive Care Medicine in light of EU health policy
- Conditions faced by the EU’s ICU healthcare workforce
- The quality and availability and training in Intensive Care Medicine in Europe
- Recognition of Intensive Care Medicine qualifications in Europe
- The improvement of Intensive Care Medicine in less developed countries
- The preparedness of Europe’s ICUs in emergency contexts
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
- Accomplish a real pan-European understanding of ICUs in Europe
- Advocate for the mutual recognition of the profession of intensivist everywhere in Europe
- Create a platform where politicians and experts discuss this important topic and further develop the European Health Union by including the ICM
CO-CHAIRS
Sirpa Pietikäinen is a Finnish Member of the European Parliament since 2008.
Pietikäinen also serves as a member of the European Parliament Working Group on Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS and Development; and as a member of the MEP Heart Group (sponsored by the European Heart Network (EHN) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)).
István Ujhelyi was elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 2014.
He has since been serving as vice chairman of the Committee on Transport and Tourism.
Before joining the European Parliament, Dr Ujhelyi served as MP in the National Assembly of Hungary between 2002 and 2014.
EPIC-IG SECRETARIAT
Please feel free to send in suggestions of discussion topics for the interest group.
If you wish to be part of the group, you can contact us at Epic-ig@esicm.org.
For more information on the Interest Group on Intensive Care Medicine, please contact the Secretariat at epic-ig@esicm.org.
Members of the European Parliament are welcome to become participants of the Interest Group and are invited to attend meetings and contribute constructively to discussions. Participants are asked to participate in discussions in a friendly manner and within the scope defined in this charter.
A personal commitment and interest in the subject of European critical care, the interests of healthcare workers and patients is essential.
