The Norwegian Health Authority

What is the Norwegian Health Authority?

The Norwegian Health Authority are the ones who make sure that health and care services in Norway are safe, good and follow the rules. They do this by:

Supervise – this means that they check that all hospitals, municipalities and others who provide health care follow the law.
Ensure learning and improvement – if something goes wrong, they use the lessons learned to improve health services for everyone.

The Norwegian Health Authority is professionally independent, which means that no one can give them orders about what to do in individual cases.

What can the Health Authority help you with?

Supervision and notification
If you experience that something is unsafe or irresponsible in the health service – such as incorrect medication, poor information, use of force or that something serious has happened – you can notify the Norwegian Health Authority. They will investigate and may order changes.
Advice and guidance
The Norwegian Health Authority provides advice to both businesses and the population, so that everyone can receive better information about rights and services.
Reports and public information
They publish reports, inspection reports and summaries that show what is good, what should be improved – and how the health and care services in the country are doing.

What does this mean for you as a parent?

You are entitled to safe and appropriate help for your family – both in the municipal health service, specialist health service and care services.
If something is not working, you have the opportunity to complain or report it. The Norwegian Health Authority will then be able to investigate and ensure that services are improved.
You will receive information and advice – whether you need to complain, need to understand your rights, or just want to know what is normal.

How to use it in practice?

If you notice something serious that is not working, contact the Norwegian Health Authority and report it.
Unsure about your rights or how to complain? Seek advice from the Norwegian Health Authority (also via Healthcare)
The Health Authority has forms, guidance and reports.
You can get free advice and support from The patient and user ombudsman.