‘People should feel confident about their health and know that they will receive high-quality healthcare when they need it. The welfare state should be the best health insurance we have in Norway. That is why we are continuing to strengthen our hospitals,’ said Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre.

‘Hospitals are already working to meet the new waiting-time targets. The long-term goal is for all patients to have started treatment within 60 days of referral, unless they prefer to wait or there are medical reasons for waiting. As part of its efforts to reduce waiting times, the government is now proposing a national incentive scheme to reward hospitals that achieve good results,’ said Vestre.

The government is proposing a NOK 3.1 billion increase in operating funding in 2027. Hospitals will also be subject to an efficiency improvement target of 0.55 per cent and savings measures totalling NOK 500 million. They will retain most of the savings generated by the efficiency improvements and use them to reduce waiting times. The proposed increase covers the additional costs of meeting the needs of a growing and ageing population, estimated at approximately NOK 2.6 billion. The central health administration will also be required to operate more efficiently and make savings of approximately NOK 200 million.

Approximately NOK 720 million will be set aside for the proposed national incentive scheme within the overall funding allocation for hospitals. Payments will be based on actual performance. The scheme will reward hospitals that increase activity. Together with an increase in the activity-based funding rate from 30 to 40 per cent, the budget will support efforts to reduce waiting times across the country.

The government intends to introduce a health reform that will provide more integrated services for patients. The proposed budget continues funding of approximately NOK 350 million in 2027 for recruitment and coordination grants, including grants for pilot projects under the government’s “Project X”. The funding will be used to test innovative and ambitious initiatives that explore new ways of coordinating and organising health services.

The government will also continue to provide specific grants totalling approximately NOK 565 million to the Northern Norway Regional Health Authority in 2027:

  • Recruitment and retention of staff: NOK 220 million
  • Recruitment and coordination grants: NOK 100 million
  • Grants to maintain emergency care services: NOK 160 million
  • Further development of specialist health services in Alta: NOK 45 million
  • Emergency preparedness and acute care services in Kirkenes: NOK 40 million