The Department of Specialist Health Care Services

Ministry of Health and Care Services

Further development of the specialist healthcare services and pharmaceutical policies are the primary tasks of the Department, with a special focus on quality and availability, as well as the consequences of demographic and medical developments in society.

The Department is responsible for the funding of the specialist healthcare services and for requisitions to the regional health authorities relating to the annual allocation thereto, as well as ensuring good information about the specialist healthcare services and follow-up of legislation.

The Department has the overall responsibility for the specialist healthcare services in the areas of physical and mental health, and interdisciplinary drug addiction treatment. This also includes user participation, competence measures and legal questions.

The Department is responsible for general habilitation and rehabilitation in the specialist healthcare services. This includes services for persons with disabilities and for children with chronic illnesses. The work on violence and trauma is also part of the Department’s responsibilities.

The department consists of the following sections

  • Section for Health Professions

    The Section for Health Professions is responsible for continued development of the specialist healthcare services in the areas of physical and mental health, psychiatric care and interdisciplinary drug addiction treatment.

  • Section for Financial Affairs and Governance

    The Section for Financial Affairs and Governance’s responsibilities include coordination of the work on the National Budget, follow-up of the regional health authorities and management of the formal oversight of the Norwegian Directorate of Health.

  • Section for Competence, Research and Innovation

    The Section is responsible for the coordination of the Ministry’s work on competence, education and personnel and for education and competence development in the specialist healthcare services.

  • Section for Pharmaceuticals

    The Section for Pharmaceuticals is responsible for the regulation of the market for pharmaceutical products and medication equipment at the producer, wholesaler and retailer levels, from clinical studies to end user.