Jorid Kalseth

Our assumption is that planned treatment is more effective than treatment provided without a plan, and that reducing the number of beds in inpatient treatment without providing adequate local alternatives may give a situation where elective treatment are superseded by urgent needs.There was a 39% reduction in the number of inpatient psychiatric beds in Norway between 1998 and 2015.

Demographic and epidemiological changes go a long way in explaining shifts in place of death. The analyses reveal substantial differences in trends between different decedent groups. Fewer people died in hospitals (34.1% vs 46.2%) or at home (14.2% vs 18.3%), and more in nursing homes (45.5% vs 29.5%) in 2011 than in 1987. Much of the trend can be explained by demographic and epidemiological changes.

Excessive administrative spending in local governments has been a concern in the public debate in Norway. Administration takes resources away from welfare services such as primary education and care for the elderly. Since administrative spending varies considerably between local governments, a study of the political and economic factors involved is warranted.