Specialist health service - StatRes, 2012

Specialist health services had NOK 116 billion in operating costs. Wages and social expenses are the largest cost component, making up 65 per cent of the total cost. The number of contracted man-years in specialist health services was just over 100 000; a slight increase compared to 2011, while there were about 130 000 man-years in municipal health care. The number of employees in specialist health services amounts to about 5 per cent of the total number of employees living in Norway.

Cost-increase for multi-disciplinary specialist substance abuse treatment

In terms of operating costs, multi-disciplinary specialist substance abuse treatment increased relatively more than somatic specialised health and mental health care.

Stable use of private health care

Health Enterprises' purchase of private health care accounted for NOK 12 billion in 2012. This also includes the purchase of private health care from private professionals and laboratory and radiology services, in addition to purchases from private institutions. The share of private health care has remained stable from 2011 to 2012. The costs of own production (StatRes) for Health Enterprises accounted for 84 per cent of total costs in the specialist health service in 2012.

At the same time, the state-owned health enterprises accounted for 89 per cent of the contracted man-years, which form the basis of StatRes. With regard to treatment and activity, the state-owned specialised health enterprises account for a higher proportion of out-patient than in-patient treatment. Many private institutions offer long-term in-patient rehabilitation and specific substance abuse treatment.

Growth in out-patient consultations

The number of out-patient consultations continues to increase, while the number of in-patient discharges had a moderate increase. The number of overnight beds continues to decrease steadily.

The decrease in the average length of stay was greater in 2012 than 2011. However, there are regional differences in the development of average length of stay.

Man-years for professionals increases most

The increase in out-patient activity has been strong in recent years, requiring several man-years of physicians, psychologists and other specialists. The relative change in man-years shows a greater increase of these professionals in comparison with other groups of staff. Man-years for physicians and psychologists have increased more than 10 per cent since 2009, while other health professionals in patient care have increased by about 2 per cent.

There are large differences in the number of employees of the regional health enterprises. The reason for this can be different organisation of health enterprises’ support units, such as IT. Such features can, to varying degrees, be centralised in the health region. In the South East, more of the administrative tasks are moved to the regional health enterprises.