Influencing EU policy Influencing EU policy development: development:

points of entry for carerspoints of entry for carers

Christine MarkingChristine MarkingAdvisor to the Eurocarers ExecutiveAdvisor to the Eurocarers Executive

The EU and carersThe EU and carers

The EU and carersThe EU and carers

No formal or limited EU remit on health No formal or limited EU remit on health care systems, health care delivery, social care systems, health care delivery, social policiespolicies

Member States are responsible and want Member States are responsible and want to keep their power in these fieldsto keep their power in these fields

So: no power to directly address carers So: no power to directly address carers issues or put in place binding legislationissues or put in place binding legislation

However….However….

Carers issues Carers issues areare European issues European issues::

Decreasing informal care potential:Decreasing informal care potential:

Demographic ageing: increasing care Demographic ageing: increasing care need in all member statesneed in all member statesChanging family structures (fewer children, Changing family structures (fewer children, increasing mobility, more divorces)increasing mobility, more divorces)Increasing female labour market Increasing female labour market participationparticipation

Carers are a huge resourceCarers are a huge resource

The vast majority of care is being provided by The vast majority of care is being provided by relatives, neighbours and friendsrelatives, neighbours and friendsThis resource is the cornerstone of care This resource is the cornerstone of care provisionprovisionFree of charge: invisible contribution to Free of charge: invisible contribution to Member States’ economy and health care Member States’ economy and health care systemssystemsNot sufficiently recognised by EU and Not sufficiently recognised by EU and national policy measuresnational policy measures

Carers need supportCarers need support

If carers are expected to continue toIf carers are expected to continue to

care – and they are – concrete measures care – and they are – concrete measures need to be taken to support themneed to be taken to support them

Current and future EU points of entryCurrent and future EU points of entry

The Institutional TriangleThe Institutional Triangle

CommissionCommission

proposes

Parliament Council

amends/decides amends/decides

Current and future points of entryCurrent and future points of entry

Barroso’s policy guidelinesBarroso’s policy guidelinesPost Lisbon consultationPost Lisbon consultationEU Workforce for HealthEU Workforce for HealthAlzheimer CommunicationAlzheimer CommunicationOpen Method of Coordination (health/ltc)Open Method of Coordination (health/ltc)Mental healthMental healthEuropean Years European Years Health StrategyHealth StrategyHealth inequalitiesHealth inequalitiesThe PROGRESS programmeThe PROGRESS programmeCommunication long term care provision (2010)Communication long term care provision (2010)Employment StrategyEmployment Strategy

Barroso’s policy guidelinesBarroso’s policy guidelines

Set the scene for the coming 5 yearsSet the scene for the coming 5 years

Many references to ageing and Many references to ageing and demographic changedemographic change

Strong emphasis on employment and Strong emphasis on employment and social policiessocial policies

Post Lisbon consultationPost Lisbon consultation

Feeds in to priority setting in social and Feeds in to priority setting in social and employment fieldemployment field

Opportunity to advocate carers issues Opportunity to advocate carers issues (also via the European Parliament)(also via the European Parliament)

EU Workforce for healthEU Workforce for health

Consultation ‘Green Paper’ December Consultation ‘Green Paper’ December 20082008

Green Paper: no mention of carersGreen Paper: no mention of carers

Explicit recognition by CommissionerExplicit recognition by Commissioner

Eurocarers responseEurocarers response

Follow up White paper expectedFollow up White paper expected

Alzheimer CommunicationAlzheimer Communication

Presented by Commission July 09Presented by Commission July 09

Carers contribution recognisedCarers contribution recognised

Carers not mentioned under planned Carers not mentioned under planned actions actions

Open Method of CoordinationOpen Method of Coordination

Focus on social security and social Focus on social security and social exclusionexclusion

Strand on health and long term careStrand on health and long term care

Carers feature but not strong enoughCarers feature but not strong enough

Mental Health PactMental Health Pact

Activities in 5 areas:Activities in 5 areas:

- older people- older people

- young people- young people

- workplace mental health- workplace mental health

- depression and suicide- depression and suicide

- stigma- stigma

Carers not specifically mentionedCarers not specifically mentioned

Health strategyHealth strategy

Overarching framework for EU health Overarching framework for EU health activitiesactivities

Carers not mentioned but many points of Carers not mentioned but many points of entryentry

Will be evaluated in 2013Will be evaluated in 2013

Health inequalitiesHealth inequalities

Consultation on future actionConsultation on future action

PROGRESSPROGRESS

Brings together former separate action Brings together former separate action programmes on equal opportunities, social programmes on equal opportunities, social inclusion, anti discrimination, inclusion, anti discrimination, employment…employment…

Eurocarers applied for funding, but without Eurocarers applied for funding, but without successsuccess

European YearsEuropean Years

2010:2010: Social inclusionSocial inclusion

2011: 2011: VolunteeringVolunteering

2012: 2012: Active ageing and Solidarity Active ageing and Solidarity between the Generations (?)between the Generations (?)

Local, national, EU level actions possibleLocal, national, EU level actions possible

2010 Communication on long term 2010 Communication on long term carecare

Opportunity for proactive lobbyingOpportunity for proactive lobbying

Employment initiativesEmployment initiatives

European Employment strategyEuropean Employment strategy

‘‘Flexicurity’Flexicurity’

Employment GuidelinesEmployment Guidelines

Reconciliation of work and family lifeReconciliation of work and family life

What do we need to do?What do we need to do?

Active policy monitoring, analysis and responseActive policy monitoring, analysis and response

Be creative and seek points of entryBe creative and seek points of entry

Develop clear and focused policy messages and Develop clear and focused policy messages and positionspositions

Develop stakeholder links and cooperationDevelop stakeholder links and cooperation

Make use of the Interest Group (PQ’s, amending Make use of the Interest Group (PQ’s, amending reports, Written Declarations…)reports, Written Declarations…)

Communication (website, newsletter, contact Communication (website, newsletter, contact programmes..)programmes..)

Thank you!Thank you!

cmarking@skynet.becmarking@skynet.be