Approach to the education of health care professionals within the European Community

The provision of health care is excluded from the treaty of Rome (1957), but the education of health professionals is a Community concern. Specific European directives have been issued for physicians, dentists, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, veterinary surgeons and general practitioners. A general directive lays down principles for recognition of the education of other professionals, including chartered physiotherapists and psychologists. The Community has consistently refused to issue regulations to cover the education and practice of complementary therapists, saying that these are matters entirely for the individual Member States. The UK osteopaths' bill may go some way to resolving some of the problems of complementary therapists within the Community.