Cross-border cooperation between health authorities in northern Norway, Sweden and Finland

JANUARY 2017

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Cross-border cooperation between health authorities in northern Norway, Sweden and Finland

Background

In 2008 regular contacts were established between healthcare authorities in the northernmost parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland. Gradually the need for more extensive and deeper collaboration became obvious. The health care systems share a number of challenges in maintaining and developing public financed health care due to demography and a sparse population in rural and border areas. Moreover, the population in these areas often have a cultural and linguistic community. Collaboration can create added value for patients and be beneficial to healthcare authorities.

In September 2015 the Chief Executives of Helse Nord RHF in Norway, Lapland medical district, Länsi-Pohjan medical district and Oulo hospital district in Finland, Region Norrbotten and Västerbotten County Council in Sweden, signed an agreement to establish a joint structure for long-term strategic cross-border cooperation. The overall goal is to improve the health of the population and the quality of health and medical care particularly in rural and border areas. The aim is to focus on developing cross-border cooperation to achieve equal and patient centred care. The special needs of Sami people and other national minorities shall be part of the planning whenever relevant.

Policy documents and implemented activities

 Agreement on Cross-border Cooperation between healthcare authorities in northern Norway, Sweden and Finland, September 2015.

 Agreement on cross-border cooperation Pre-hospital emergency care, September 2015.

 Procedures for Pre-hospital Emergency Medical care, Procedures for Emergency Call Centres and Administrative procedures, June 2016.

 Strategic plan on cross-border collaboration in health care 2017-2019, November 2016.

 Fact sheet: Barriers to cooperation i.e. different national structures and legislation, November 2016.

 Establishment of common website www.nllplus.se/NHCC

 Establishment of joint secretariat, Region Norrbotten Luleå, January 2016.

 Establishment of network on Prevention and control of communicable diseases.

On-going and planned activities 2017-2018

 Action plan 2017-2018. Activities: factual report, workshop, telemedicine, competence development and relevant research and development efforts.

 Report on participating counties/districts; geographical context, facts and figures on population and density. Information on health authorities;

organisation, capacity, financing, regulation. Characteristics of health services; competence, location, patient transportation etc. Statistics on life expectancy, general health development, mortality etc.

 Workshop in Torne Valley on opportunities and obstacles for enhanced cross-border cooperation, autumn 2017

 10-year anniversary conference, 2018.