Up to a year of waiting for treatment. The government announces a system to organize it
The government announces plans to shorten queues for surgeries. The Minister of Health points to the growing importance of the private sector.
A reduction of one, two, or three months is being considered.
Fot. Adobe Stock, licencja standardowa (zdjęcie poglądowe)
Minister of Health Jan Christian Vestre has announced measures to reduce waiting times for procedures. Hospitals are analyzing how to shorten queues by one, two, or three months. At the same time, the importance of private medical services is increasing. Decisions about using them remain with public institutions.
Greater role for private services
The government plans to increase the purchase of medical services from private entities. Public hospitals are to sign more long-term contracts. This is intended to provide predictability and better control over spending. The minister emphasizes that decisions will be made locally. Each institution will assess its own needs and available resources.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre declares financial support for the changes. He promises appropriate budgets for hospitals. He also points to the need to improve the organization and financing of the system. The government allows for cooperation with the private sector. This is to shorten queues and make better use of available capacity.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre declares financial support for the changes. He promises appropriate budgets for hospitals. He also points to the need to improve the organization and financing of the system. The government allows for cooperation with the private sector. This is to shorten queues and make better use of available capacity.
The government wants to make better use of available resources.Photo: stock.adobe.com/standard license
Queues and government goals
The government is working on setting a specific goal for reducing waiting times. Currently, the average time from referral to the start of treatment has returned to the 2019 level. Analyses are underway regarding further reductions in waiting times. The minister announces further decisions in this area. Details are to be presented soon.
Data show that queues are still long. The average waiting time for planned treatment is five months. 9.6 percent of patients wait more than a year. The best result in the last 15 years was recorded in 2017, when the average time was four months.
Data show that queues are still long. The average waiting time for planned treatment is five months. 9.6 percent of patients wait more than a year. The best result in the last 15 years was recorded in 2017, when the average time was four months.
The government also points to the need for better information for patients about available appointment times. Differences between facilities are significant. For some tests, the waiting time is 46 weeks, while in other places it is two weeks. The planned solutions are intended to make it easier to change the place of treatment. The system is to direct patients to where the waiting time is shorter.
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