6 Increased emphasis on prevention in the health and care services
The government will further develop health and care services in line with the objectives of the Coordination Reform and new challenges associated with lifestyle-related illnesses, an ageing population, more people living with chronic conditions, and challenges relating to mental health and substance abuse. This means that preventive measures will have a more clearly defined role in the health and care services. Health clinics and school health services shall be further developed and strengthened. It is necessary to strengthen the entire health care service’s work with lifestyle changes, learning and coping, to strengthen the work with quality and patient safety, to evaluate the use of screening, and to strengthen the health care service’s advisory role towards other sectors in order to support cross-sectoral public health work.
Textbox 6.1 Increased emphasis on prevention in the health and care services
The government will:
Further develop the municipal health and care services into a more interdisciplinary and integrated service in line with the intentions of the Coordination Reform
Further develop and strengthen health clinics and school health services
Continue to focus on healthy lifestyle initiatives and offer learning and support services within local authorities
Establish more low-threshold services for pregnant women, mothers and parents who struggle with drug addiction and mental disorders
Consider clearer requirements for the quality assurance and evaluation of national screening programmes
Ensure that health enterprises give attention to the preventive work within the specialist health service
Collaborate with The Norwegian Association of Lokal and Regional Authorities and the municipal sector regarding how the preventive work can be strengthened in the municipal health and care service
Prepare an action plan for the prevention of suicide and self-harm
The health and care services’ role in the preventive work is central to the Coordination Reform. The aim is that initiatives shall be implemented earlier, either in the form of preventive measures or early treatment. The health and care services’ responsibility for preventive efforts is emphasised in the Health Care Act, the Specialist Health Services Act, and the Public Health Act. The service has three main roles relating to the preventive work:
Prevention as an integrated part of the health care service
Health checks, health education and lifestyle changes, and information, advice and guidance to prevent social problems
Provide support to cross-sectoral work through overviews and knowledge of health challenges, causal relationships and initiatives
The specialist health service also has a responsibility to develop knowledge and competence in collaboration with local authorities and other partners.
Figure 6.1