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The ability to increase the surge capacity and flexibility of the health workforce has been fundamental to delivering an effective COVID-19 response in all European Union (EU) Member States. Surge planning has been needed to meet a dramatic rise in demand for care from COVID-19 patients in acute and emergency settings, to deliver test, trace and isolate services and mass vaccination programs, all while maintaining other essential health care services.

This guide outlines the varied strategies countries have taken to create surge capacity during the pandemic, broadly grouped as initiatives to: 1) increase numbers and re-deploy staff to areas of greatest need; and 2) re-skill and re-purpose the workforce to ensure sufficient skill mix. Learning from actions taken during the pandemic, and a wide-range of supporting initiatives and funding from the European Union, will help Member States build a more resilient workforce for the future.

To read the full guide, please click the linked file.