OECD: Economic Survey of Sweden 2005: Improving quality and value for money in healthcare

The healthcare system is in good shape. The Survey also includes an in depth look at Sweden’s healthcare system. By international standards, it is in good shape. Healthcare is of a high quality, the system is relatively well funded, and the various players have been innovative in the way they finance and deliver services. However, there are some problems around the edges. The main challenges are to improve access to primary care, lift quality in the lower performing regions, increase value for money in the hospital sector and put financing on a more stable and sustainable basis.

Kommer vi att ha råd med sjukvården?

De medicinska framstegen ökar ständigt hälso- och sjukvårdens möjligheter att upptäcka och behandla sjukdomar. Inom några år börjar andelen äldre och vårdkrävande i befolkningen att växa. Många befarar att vården kommer att bli för dyr för att garantera alla en god vård på lika villkor.

Landstingsförbundets styrelse har givit förbundets ekonomiberedning i uppdrag att arbeta fram ett diskussionsunderlag om hälso- och sjukvårdens ekonomiska förutsättningar och vilka alternativa vägar som finns för vården framtida finansiering. Resultatet är denna rapport. Den presenterar inga färdiga lösningar, utan syftet är att den skall väcka frågor och ge underlag för en konstruktiv debatt om hälso- och sjukvårdens framtida finansiering.

Getting better value for money from Sweden’s healthcare system

This paper reviews the strengths and weaknesses of the Swedish healthcare system and the challenges that it will face in the future. It discusses ways to improve access to primary care, including different methods for paying GPs, whether access is less equitable than in other countries and the role of patient fees. The maximum waiting time guarantee for elective surgery is reviewed, along with ways of reducing regional variations in quality. The extent of decentralisation is questioned, as that may be affecting the quality of care and value for money in some areas, including elderly and psychiatric care. Mechanisms for improving the hospital sector are also examined including fee-for-service (DRG) payment mechanisms and whether for-profit hospitals would help. Finally, it considers ways to make financing more stable and sustainable.