National Unit for Patient Safety in Norway
The Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services (Nasjonalt kunnskapssenter for helsetjenesten ) was set up in Jan 2004. The Centre is organised under the Directorate for Health and Social Affairs but is scientifically independent. The Knowledge Centre has established a national unit for patient safety. This unit is supporting the work of the Health Service in recording, analysing, learning from and preventing adverse events.
Dr Øystein Flesland has been appointed head of the unit and took up post in early May, 2007. He is joined by a small team of 4 medical personnel. The Unit is organized as a separate section in the directorate focusing on quality and patient safety within Kunnskapssenteret. It will work closely with regional health authorities to promote patient safety and quality issues.