from the municipality to the state. While healthcare policies are controlled centrally, the responsibility for its provision is decentralised.

In 2012, the Coordination Reform was launched. The reform aims to create a more cohesive and coordinated approach to healthcare services, a greater proportion of such services are to be provided in the local communities, better preventive measures, and improving public health (The Coordination Reform 2015).

Although the Norwegian healthcare system functions well in many areas, changing demographics are putting pressure on health services.The overall picture is that the oldest age groups will increase the most between 2006 and 2030. During this period, the age group 67-79 is expected to increase by nearly 70 %. The demographic challenge for the municipal nursing and care services will be particularly great towards thetowards public welfare solutions has long historical traditions. It can be traced back to late Middle Ages, was renewed through the revised Poor Law legislation at the turn of 19th century, and was modernised through the development of the public welfare programmes after the Second World War (Reisegg et al. 2014). These programmes were built up under the leadership of continuous social democratic governments up to 1965, and were supported in all basic issues by the other major political parties (Van Nostrand et al. 1995). The full responsibility for providing long-term care was given to the municipalities in 1988 (Braut 2014).

Further, home nursing is also provided by the municipalities for free, if feasible and needed. After a home visit and discussions with the patient and family, the municipality