ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief overview of the healthcare system, health legislation and the supervisory and compensation system in Norway. The national state authorities control overall policy design and the capacity and quality of healthcare through budgeting and legislation. The state also finances a national insurance scheme covering each citizen in a uniform way. The patient compensation scheme covers all patients receiving any form of healthcare from any private or public health service. The Patient Ombudsman scheme is based upon the Act on Patients' Rights. Usually the Patient Ombudsman has an office located in one of the larger cities in the county, often next to where the largest hospital is situated. The funding for the Patient Ombudsman is provided by the state. There are two main aims with the Patient Ombudsman scheme: to safeguard patients' interests and legal rights; and to contribute to the quality of the health services.
