What is the current state of the health and care services? How are we addressing the challenges, and what measures are needed to ensure high-quality health and care services in the future?
These questions were on the agenda when Oslo Economics recently took part in the annual “Sykehuskonferansen” hosted by Spekter. The conference brings together Norway’s leading health sector executives, decision-makers, and politicians, all of whom share a common responsibility for shaping the health and care services of tomorrow.
On behalf of Spekter, Oslo Economics has written the report «En helse- og omsorgstjeneste som ivaretar fremtidens behov»”, which was launched at this year’s conference. The report highlights the significant positive development in the specialist health services since the introduction of the hospital reform, and concludes that the reform’s objectives have largely been achieved. At the same time, it emphasizes that both municipal health and care services and specialist health services must continue to evolve to meet future needs.
Many of the challenges identified are not unique to Norway. Issues related to coordination, workforce shortages, and rising expectations of health services are shared by many countries, although solutions tend to vary depending on historical and cultural contexts. The challenges facing the Norwegian healthcare system can be addressed either within the current model or through more extensive structural reforms. The report discusses various overarching models and provides estimates of the potentially substantial transition costs involved.
A recording from the conference and the full report are available in Norwegian on Spekter’s website: Sykehuskonferansen 2026 – Spekter
