ministry of health and social affairs sweden national coordinators – an example of non-traditional...

Ministry of Health and Social Affairs Sweden

National Coordinators – an example of non-

traditional forms of central government steering

Lena HellbergMinistry of Health and Social Affairs Sweden

May 2014


Basic facts about Sweden

• Population: 9.6 million • Density: 24 pers/km2

• Distribution: 40% lives in Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö

• Immigration: 21% born abroad or have two foreign-born parents

• Unemployment: 8.5% • GDP per capita: USD 40,000 • Average life expectancy: 84 years (women) and

80 years (men)


Organisation of health care in Sweden

Three political and administrative levels:

National • Ministry of

Health and Social Affairs

• Central government agencies

Regional • 21 county

councils

Local • 290

municipalities

• Legislation• Supervision• Evaluation, follow-

up• (Financing)

• Responsible for health care services to all residents.

• Impose taxes

• Responsible for domestic care of elderly and disabled

• Impose taxes


National Coordinator

• a person appointed by the Government

• operates outside agency structures• coordinate and implement

government policy

• dependent on several actors• complex problems


Example of coordinators

• efficient use of resources in the health care

• freedom of choice of provider• improved care for people with

chronic illnesses• the most ill elderly


Improved care for people with chronic illnesses

Strategy patient centeredness´ and

patient participation implementation of clinical

guidelines through improvement actions

prevention and early detection


Different types and advantages

• Negotiator• Analyst• Instigator

• Attracts attention• Flexible• More independent• Gain legitimacy

ministry of health and social affairs sweden national coordinators – an example of non-traditional...

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