Country Correspondent: Marianne Storm
In his annual speech to the hospital sector, Health Minister Bent Høie laid out his plans for a national second opinion referral system for patients with serious illnesses. Patients with life-threatening conditions who have exhausted traditional treatment options and may qualify for experimental treatments or clinical trials will be eligible for a consultation by an expert panel that can recommend the latest treatment options in Norway or other countries. The model is based on Denmark’s second opinion referral system, which has successfully operated for 14 years. The system is expected to strengthen clinical trials cooperation between Nordic and European countries and reduce the number of Norwegian patients who travel abroad for highly specialized care.
Source
https://www.aftenposten.no/norge/i/jPzkbA/Helseminister-Bent-Hoie-har-bestemt-seg-Slik-blir-den-nye-ordningen-for-de-aller-sykeste (In Norwegian)
https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/sykehustalen-2018/id2585683/ (In Norwegian)