Having experienced healthcare in other countries, we are proud to be healthcare workers in Norway.

We will respond to the beginning of the debate on “living well” for the elderly. Italy may have an answer to the giant wave of older people, believes Irene Peroni, an Italian journalist living in Norway.

Like so many other Norwegians, we are happy in Italy. However, we do not believe that elderly care in Italy should be copied to any great extent. There are many arguments against it.

The disadvantages of Italy

Among other things, what Peroni writes is that a large part of the “bathers” have their wages blocked. That is to say, they are deprived of social security.

Moreover, it is morally difficult to encourage a brain drain from countries with fewer resources. Italian women are the women of Europe who works the least.

In our Italian family, several women stopped working when they had children. These women have time to be with the elderly members of the family. However, they receive no recognition for what they contribute to society.

Benefits in Norway

We believe that we have many reasons to think positively about our Norwegian public healthcare system.

Among other things, the non-hierarchical structure is a factor that allows many to flourish as professionals. Having experienced healthcare in other countries, we are proud to be healthcare workers in Norway. The Norwegian healthcare system is one of the best in Europe.

Norway is the country with the second highest number of doctors. The number of nurses is also above the EU average. Nevertheless, it is notified to future understaffing among health personnel. Maybe we should do something about the tasks professionals are assigned to?

Don’t turn the patient into a consumer

Our experience is that nurses can contribute with significant and correct competence.

Canadian Nurse Practitioners is the result of a necessity. These examine and monitor patients who have chronic illnesses (eg diabetes). For the health system, it will be less costly to hire a specialized nurse who has both knowledge and skills than a doctor.

Some suggest privatizing all or part of the health system. However, we know that private healthcare systems, like the one in the United States, are not exactly cheaper for the state. On the contrary. In a private system, the patient becomes a consumer. We also wonder: will socio-economic differences in society increase with a privatized health system?