The average waiting time for started healthcare in all sectors was 83 days in September, according to recent figures published on The Directorate of Health websites. This is an increase of two days compared to the same month last year.
The longest waiting time was in Helse Midt-Norge with an average of 87 days, followed by Helse south-east with 85 days. Helse nord had a waiting time of 80 days, while the waiting time in Helse west was 77 days.
Fewer people are waiting for drug treatment
Within somatics, the average waiting time was 86 days in September. This is also an increase of two days compared to last year.
For substance abuse treatment, however, the waiting time has decreased by five days and in September was an average of 31 days.
Within mental healthcare for children and young people, there has been a decrease in the average waiting time of one day.
West: Too long waiting times
Health and Care Minister Jan Christian Vestre (Ap) is pleased with another figure in the statistics, which shows that over 16,000 fewer people are waiting in line for health care than at the same time last year.
He describes the development as “slightly positive”. But the waiting times are on average too long, he points out.
– The fact that there are now fewer people waiting for health care than last year is positive. I am also happy to see that the number of people waiting for a long time has been reduced, and it is good that the proportion of missed deadlines has been reduced. In hospitals all over the country, a lot of work is being done to reduce waiting times. I am happy about that, says Vestre in a press release.
– At the same time, I think we cannot say we are satisfied with the overall development, he continues.
Will cut by 10-14 days
In May, the government launched the so-called waiting time lift and put NOK 2 billion on the table to reduce waiting times in the hospital. Since then, the queues have only increased.
The promise was extended by NOK 3.8 billion in the proposal for next year’s state budget, at the same time that the government set itself the goal of reducing waiting times to the level before the corona pandemic by the end of 2025. This corresponds to 10–14 days.
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