Table 2 Key facts about the Norwegian healthcare system

The Norwegian regulatory and supervisory regime [32]

• The Norwegian regulatory and supervisory regime consists of several policymaking and governing bodies, possessing a range of different regulatory strategies

• The Ministry of Health and Care Services directs the healthcare services and the subordinate bodies by means of comprehensive legislation and annual budgetary allocations

• The Norwegian Directorate of Health has authority to carry out and implement the Ministry’s health policies and regulations

• The Norwegian Board of Health Supervision and the County Governors are responsible for supervisory activities, and enforcement across the Norwegian healthcare system

The Norwegian specialized healthcare system

• Four regional health authorities have responsibilities to implement national health policies and regulations

• The regional health authorities are set to plan, organize, govern, and coordinate all subordinated hospitals in their region (the Health Trusts’ Act) [33]