Revolution in Norwegian healthcare. Commission calls for municipal mergers and hospital changes
Norway is preparing a broad reform of its healthcare system. The Healthcare Reform Commission (Helsereformutvalget) wants, among other things, to merge the smallest municipalities and abolish the four regional health authorities. The government also announces changes to funding, digital care and psychiatry.
Hospitals closer to the state, treatment closer to home. Norway has unveiled its reform plan.
Fot. Adobe Stock, licencja standardowa
On Monday, 2 November, the commission presented a report on the future organisation of Norwegian healthcare. The document is intended to address problems related to an ageing population, staff shortages and growing demand for services. One of the main issues concerns the smallest municipalities. According to the commission’s chair, Gunnar Bovim, some of them are too small to independently provide an adequate range of healthcare services in the future.
Small municipalities are to merge. The commission also wants changes in hospitals
Bovim points out that cooperation between the smallest municipalities may not be enough. In his view, such arrangements are too vulnerable to collapse, as one party may decide to withdraw from cooperation. However, the commission does not specify a minimum population threshold at which a municipality should be merged with another. This is due to significant geographical differences, especially in Finnmark, where larger units would mean very long distances.
The problem can be seen, among other places, in Utsira, Norway’s smallest municipality, which has 219 residents. Municipal director Thor Andre Hauge says that six nursing home places and two care places are available locally, and that number is currently sufficient. Staffing remains a challenge, however. The municipality must provide qualified nurses, round-the-clock staffing and adequate shift coverage, which is why Hauge would like greater flexibility in qualification requirements.
The problem can be seen, among other places, in Utsira, Norway’s smallest municipality, which has 219 residents. Municipal director Thor Andre Hauge says that six nursing home places and two care places are available locally, and that number is currently sufficient. Staffing remains a challenge, however. The municipality must provide qualified nurses, round-the-clock staffing and adequate shift coverage, which is why Hauge would like greater flexibility in qualification requirements.
Norway wants to overhaul its healthcare system.Photo: Adobe Stock, standard licence (illustrative photo)
Four regions may disappear. The state would take direct control
Most members of the commission propose abolishing the four regional health authorities: Helse Nord, Helse Midt-Norge, Helse Vest and Helse Sør-Øst. They are currently responsible for hospital services in different parts of the country. After the change, the state would be directly responsible for hospitals. The commission also wants to reduce the number of health trusts from the current 20 to 10–15.
The report also includes transferring responsibility for out-of-hours and urgent medical care to specialist healthcare, developing local services and making greater use of treatment close to people’s homes. The commission also proposes better team-based care for elderly and seriously ill people, more places in psychiatric care and easier access to digital health consultations. Patients would be able to find their information more easily on the Helsenorge portal, while staff would exchange information more efficiently. The proposals also include using artificial intelligence to direct patients to the appropriate care.
The report also includes transferring responsibility for out-of-hours and urgent medical care to specialist healthcare, developing local services and making greater use of treatment close to people’s homes. The commission also proposes better team-based care for elderly and seriously ill people, more places in psychiatric care and easier access to digital health consultations. Patients would be able to find their information more easily on the Helsenorge portal, while staff would exchange information more efficiently. The proposals also include using artificial intelligence to direct patients to the appropriate care.
Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre stresses that the report is not yet a finished reform. The document will now undergo a three-month consultation process, and the government has announced that it will gather opinions from across the country. The aim is to introduce the reform during the current parliamentary term and to develop a broad political agreement.
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