The Health Workforce and Service Delivery (HWD) team manages a wide portfolio, including programmes on human resources for health, nursing and midwifery, hospitals, rehabilitation, disabilities and assistive technologies. It achieves this working with the most up-to-date data, evidence and research.

It forms part of WHO/Europe’s Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, implementing the Region’s disability, rehabilitation, assistive technology, palliative care and long-term care programme.

The unit works with Member States scaling up these services within their health systems, providing technical support, implementation strategies, assessments and policy services, among other support approaches.

Mission statement

The Health Workforce and Service Delivery (HWD) unit is a technical and evidence-driven team committed to advancing universal health coverage in the WHO European Region. It achieves this working with the most up-to-date data, evidence and research.

The HWD team conducts applied research and policy analysis to provide high-quality technical and policy support to countries, focusing on the integration of health and social care services, including rehabilitation, palliative care, long-term care and hospital care. It is committed to ensuring that health services are responsive to the evolving needs of individuals and populations, particularly vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities.

The unit strives to strengthen health systems by generating knowledge, planning and supporting a competent and multidisciplinary health workforce, enhancing the resilience of health services in emergencies and addressing health inequalities. Through collaborative efforts, the HWD team aims to build robust community health-care networks and ensure that essential health services are maintained and improved, even in times of crisis.

The HWD team’s work is guided by the principles of independence, scientific integrity, inclusivity and sustainability, as it supports countries in their journey towards achieving better health outcomes for all.