Study visit to Oslo: general practitioner system driving renewal of services

The County Board and the Executive Group of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County undertook a study visit to Oslo from 12 to 13 January 2026. The purpose of the visit was to enhance the implementation of the wellbeing services county’s new strategy and to deepen understanding of care continuity and the strengthening of primary-level services.

The most important topic of this visit was Norway’s general practitioner system (Fastlegeordningen), which is internationally regarded as an interesting example of how to develop primary healthcare services. In Norway, the system has been used to enhance continuity of care, promote a holistic approach to encounters with patients and improve seamless services across different stages of care.

During the visit, wellbeing services county representatives met with Norwegian experts and organisations with experience in the practical implementation of the general practitioner system.

“In Norway, the general practitioner system has been in use for a long time, and the experiences have been excellent. During the visit, we gained valuable insights into how primary-level services can be strengthened and continuity of care enhanced in a customer-oriented and long-term manner,” states Mia Laiho, Chair of the Wellbeing Services County Board.

Another topic that emerged in the meetings was the working group appointed by the Norwegian government, helsereformutvalget (‘health reform committee’), whose task is to investigate and propose models for ensuring a unified and sustainable public health and care service system. The interest in pursuing a dialogue about the health and social services reform in Finland also emphasised the importance of Nordic cooperation. In a changing world, Norway and Finland are united not only by similar values and structures but also by geographical distances and population structure. Sharing experiences and learning from one another supports the development of sustainable and effective solutions.

The insights gained in Oslo will be used to support ongoing strategic work and service development in the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County. The goal is to ensure seamless care pathways, stronger primary-level services and better continuity of care for the residents of Western Uusimaa.