During the meeting, exchanges concerning the national and regional stakeholders’ involvement in the design of the implementation measures pointed to a wide array of practices and inclusive approaches, such as surveys to regional authorities, interviews, use of already existing inter-ministerial working groups, creation of tasks forces, broad written consultations, platforms for dialogue with NGOs and social partners.  

The coordinators agreed on the guidance for the Member States’ reporting, due by June 2024. There was agreement on the usefulness of a consistent approach, while paying due account to the country-specific circumstances and contexts.  

The LTC coordinators discussed further challenges faced by the care workforce, in particular in relation to skills, with the participation of CEDEFOP.

For the next mutual learning focusing on LTC workforce, coordinators indicated their interest in topics such as recruitment of third country nationals in the sector, addressing the gender dimension, addressing challenges related to retention and ageing of the workforce, increasing the attractiveness of the sector for young people, as well as support for informal carers.  

In terms of other areas of further EU support, participants stressed the unique position of the EC in addressing analytical needs for cross-EU analyses, strengthening the evidence base, incentivising country-level investments and reforms via EU funding for LTC, and building the ‘social investment’ case for LTC to inform decisions on funding. 

Next steps 

• Mutual learning seminar on LTC workforce (April 2024) 

• Reporting on national measures (by June 2024) 

• Meeting of LTC coordinators (June 2024, tbc)   

Background   

The Recommendation invites Member States to ensure sound policy governance in long-term care, including an effective coordination mechanism to design, deploy and monitor policy actions and investments in long-term care.

This includes having in place a long-term care coordinator or another appropriate coordination mechanism, in accordance with national circumstances, supporting the implementation of this Recommendation at national level.