Joint action for improved supervision. Recommendations for user participation in supervision

Norway has comprehensive legislation regarding child welfare, health and social services. The overall aim of public supervision in Norway is to ensure that health and social services and child welfare are provided in accordance with national acts and regulations.

User involvement in supervision have been a targeted area of commitment for the Offices of the County Governors and the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision in the period 2014 - 2018. More, better and closer communication with patients, service users and user representatives has been an overall goal in all supervisory activities.

In 2014, the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision and the Offices of the County Governors initiated a project with the aim of improving client participation in supervision of services. The work has involved assessing supervisory practices, core values, and respect for and recognition of the competence that patients, service users and their next of kin have from their contact with the services. The Offices of the County Governors have tested different practices that can improve user participation and thereby improving the quality of the supervision activities.

Based on experiences gathered in the period, a working group consisting of representatives from user organizations, the Offices of the County Governors and the National Board of Health Supervision have given recommendations for sound user involvement in supervision. The National Board of Health Supervision have planned follow-up activities in 2019 and has also established a user council that act as a forum for future development of user participation in supervision.