Organization of health care services

On October 18, 2023, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMSGPK) announced that its budget would increase by 3.9 billion to 25.8 billion euros (by 18%) in the coming year. 1.1 billion euros from the budget will be allocated for the health care reform, which will be implemented as part of the financial equalization.

In June 2023, the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Center (KCE) published Health Services Research concerning the performance of the Belgian healthcare system. KCE regularly conducts such "check-ups" of the healthcare system in collaboration with Sciensano, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV), and the FPS Public Health. The conceptual framework and the list of performance indicators were revised and updated.

In May 2023, the government revised the national budget and proposed changes in the central health administration's roles, organization, and responsibilities to be implemented on January 1, 2024. The reorganization includes the merger of the Directorate of Health and the Directorate of e-Health.

On February 03, 2023, the first UKs medical technology (Medtech) strategy was published by the new Medtech Directorate at the Department of Health and Social Care. The strategy sets the government's ambition to accelerate access to innovative medical technologies, outlines the vision for Medtech, and defines priority areas for action.

The Belgian healthcare system is gradually moving from a disease-management approach to a more person-centered integrated care approach. On December 19, 2022, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) announced the extension of funding for integrated care pilot projects for the next two years. These projects are carried out in the context of a new inter-federal plan for integrated care.

NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) have been changing the organizational landscape of the healthcare system for several years by developing new geographically-based partnerships called Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), bringing together providers and commissioners of NHS services with local authorities and other local partners to plan, coordinate and commission health and care services. On July 01, 2022, 42 ICSs became fully operational on a statutory basis of the 2022 Health and Care Act. Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are now abolished and replaced by 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)

On May 31, 2022, the Norwegian Directorate of e-Health released a draft National eHealth strategy 2023 - 2030 for the health and care sector and launched a consultation period. The deadline for comments submission is October 01, 2022.

On April 12, 2022, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I) published 2022/23 priorities and operational planning guidance, including elective recovery planning supporting guidance, capital guidance for 2022-25, and revenue finance and contracting guidance. The 2022/23 priorities and operational planning guidance set out NHSE/I priorities for the year ahead and reconfirms the ongoing need to restore services, meet new care demands, and reduce the care backlogs that are a direct consequence of the pandemic.

On September 23, 2021, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I) published the National bundle of care for children and young people with asthma, which is phase one of a plan to support Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in delivering high-quality asthma care.

On June 30, 2021, the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System has approved the agreement of the Committee of designation of Centers, Services, and Reference Units (CSUR) for the designation of 21 new CSUR for seven pathologies, including ophthalmological diseases and the renovation of designation of six CSUR for adults with congenital heart disease.

According to the available financial results, published by the German Federal Ministry of Health, the German statutory health insurance companies reported a total deficit of around 2.65 billion euros in 2020. The health fund reported a deficit of 3.49 billion euros in 2020. As of January 15, 2021, the health fund's liquidity reserve was around 5.9 billion euros.

The application portal for inclusion in the directory of digital health apps (DiGA) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has been online since May 27, 2020. The application, which can be submitted only electronically, is the first step for the respective health app to be reimbursed in the future as part of regular care.