Many of the challenges facing hospitals are not restricted to state borders. The problems related to an ageing population, for example, are not only felt in the Netherlands but in many other European countries too. The Single Market and the increasing migration of staff are developments facing nearly all European hospitals. In addition, there is much relevant legislation for hospitals that originates in Brussels.

In meeting these developments on the labour market, it is extremely important that European social partners, hospitals and their staff cooperate effectively. Consultation at European level in the European Social Dialogue plays a crucial role in this. By getting to know each other better, the various parties in the European hospital sector can join forces in a constructive way and effectively represent the interests of the hospital sector in Brussels. The founding of the Committee for European hospitals is a major step in this direction.

The Dutch social partners warmly support the European Social Dialogue. The Organisation for Social Partners in Hospitals in the Netherlands (StAZ), a collaboration between the Dutch social partners, would also like to promote wider European cooperation. The StAZ supports a variety of activities of the Committee for European Hospitals, for example, establishing mutual contacts between European hospitals and the social partners, keeping them informed and inviting them to take part in international projects. The StAZ also collects information about best practices from European hospitals and distributes it among Dutch hospitals.