NITO involved in key processes for the health service of the future
NITO is involved in several important committees and processes that will shape the health service of the future.
"It is crucial that the voices of engineers and technologists are heard when the health policy of the future is formulated," says Kaja Marienborg, chair of the board of NITO Institute of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences.
On behalf of NITO, Marienborg participates in the reference group for the Health Reform Committee, which will look at how the health service can be organized to meet the needs of the future. In addition, NITO has been invited to participate in the work on the Health Personnel Plan 2040, a plan that will ensure enough competent health personnel in the years ahead.
Important political recognition
"The fact that NITO has been given a seat at the table in these processes is a political recognition that our members represent necessary and relevant expertise in the development of the health service. It shows that our professional communities are listened to, and that the authorities recognise the role that technology, laboratory sciences and engineering expertise must play in the health service of the future," says Marienborg.
She emphasizes that both the Health Reform Committee and the Health Personnel Plan 2040 will deal with some of the biggest challenges facing Norway: An aging population, changing expectations of the health services and a shrinking workforce. The choices made now will have consequences for the entire health service in the coming decades," she says.
Our members are key resources in the health service in technology, innovation, operations and laboratory services. Now that we have the opportunity to influence these processes, we will use the opportunity to ensure good framework conditions and quality in the services.
Kaja Marienborg, Chair of the Board of NITO BFI
In the future, the reference group for the Health Reform Committee will also have a dialogue with the committee that will study a new Patient and User Rights Act.
"Patients are entitled to help from an interdisciplinary health service, where our members with authorisation and certification become even more important. This is therefore a work we take seriously, and we will contribute with concrete solutions that ensure that patients have access to safe and efficient laboratory services. Rights legislation must take into account the entire patient pathway – including diagnostics," Marienborg points out.
Raised the role and challenges of biomedical laboratory scientists
NITO BFI has also had a separate meeting with the Ministry of Health and Care Services (HOD) to highlight the role and challenges of biomedical laboratory scientists.
"The meeting with the HOD was important to highlight our concerns about staffing and expertise. We find that there is a great understanding that the laboratory service is critical for patient safety," concludes Marienborg.
