By Marius Helge Larsen/NTB
The money will come in the so-called new balancing of the state budget, which will soon be presented. This is an update of the budget that comes every year.
The government proposes to give NOK 1.6 billion as a one-off grant to strengthen the finances of all healthcare institutions, the Ministry of Health informs NTB.
- In addition, Helse nord receives an extra NOK 200 million linked to security psychiatry.
- Helse Midt-Norge also receives NOK 200 million related to its work “to facilitate increased user-friendliness and increased efficiency in the Helseplattformen”, the new digital record system that has received a lot of criticism.
Should contribute to shorter waiting times
The Minister of Health expects that the money will, among other things, be used to further reduce waiting times.
Last week there were figures showing that 17,000 fewer are waiting for health care than last year, but that the waiting time has increased in some areas.
– People in Norway must receive high-quality healthcare when they need it. We propose to strengthen the hospitals with NOK 2 billion in the new balance, so that they can continue their work to reduce waiting times and at the same time continue their investment plans, says Minister of Health and Care Jan Christian Vestre (Ap).
He points out that the finances of the healthcare institutions have gone worse this year than expected. He explains this, among other things, by the fact that cost growth in several areas has been higher than expected.
Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) is concerned that the hospitals must ensure health preparedness throughout the country.
– The government is keen that we have a strong welfare state. That is why I am happy that we are prioritizing strengthening the hospitals’ finances in the new balance, so that cost growth does not come at the expense of the offer, she says.
More money for the municipalities
The state budget is updated every year around the turn of the month in December. It is an update of the state budget, in line with how spending and income have been so far this year.
Some of the estimates have missed a bit, and thus funds are freed up in some fields, while other fields need more money.
In the past, the government has already promised NOK 5 billion more to the municipalities in the new balance of this year’s budget.
It is not known in which areas less money will be spent than planned this year.
The government’s new-age budget is currently only a proposal, and it must have the support of SV to gain a majority in the Storting. There may thus be changes in the negotiations with SV before it is finally adopted.
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