“It’s quite massive,” remarks Seher Aydar, a parliamentary representative for Rødt and a member of the health and care committee. Recently, she directed a request to Health Minister Jan Christian Vestre, seeking clarity on the number of individuals involved in communication and public relations within the health sector. This inquiry encompasses not just the Ministry of Health and Care, but also its affiliated agencies, regional health enterprises, and joint health ventures.
“Our health services are currently under significant resource pressure, and understanding how we utilize these resources is crucial,” Aydar explains to Nettavisen. “I raised this issue because we suspected there had been an increase in the number of communications advisers.”
The trade publication Sykepleien was first to highlight this matter.
SEES RED: Storting representative Seher Aydar (R) believes the health sector has too many communication roles.Photo: Heiko Junge/NTB
– A Call for Accountability
In response to Aydar’s inquiry, Vestre revealed that 263 individuals are currently employed in communication roles across various health organizations—a figure that represents nearly 248 full-time positions. Over the last decade, several of these organizations have witnessed a notable rise in such roles. Helse Sør-Øst RHF, for instance, reports a 9.5% increase in communication jobs, albeit against a backdrop of 17.5% growth in overall staffing within health institutions.
Helse Nord leads in the number of communication staff but clarifies that its data encompasses overall figures for the entire organization rather than individual health facilities.
Aydar perceives Vestre’s response as validation of her concerns. She remains skeptical about the number of man-years dedicated to communication within the health sector, suggesting it signals a troubling trend in resource allocation amid an already strained system.
“If we want to foster a positive reputation, more communication personnel isn’t the answer,” Aydar asserts. “What we truly need are high-quality health services. We’ve got to tackle this issue earnestly.”
Multipurpose Roles Highlighted
Vestre, in his reply, emphasized that not all individuals in communication departments work solely in this area; many balance communication responsibilities with other tasks. He underscored that for several health entities, communication remains a core function. Institutions like the National Institute of Public Health and the Norwegian Biotechnology Council have essential roles that involve disseminating crucial information to the public.
“Effective communication is vital for healthcare institutions,” Vestre states, explaining how it ensures that patients and service users are well-informed about treatment procedures and available services. Furthermore, the communications teams manage a range of digital platforms, from websites to social media.
The importance of this work came sharply into focus during the recent pandemic, as many turned to healthcare organizations’ online resources for essential updates.
DEFENDS: Health Minister Jan Christian Vestre supports the number of communication workers in the sector.Photo: Cornelius Poppe (NTB)
– A Matter of Proportion
While Aydar acknowledges the importance of communication professionals, she raises concerns about the scale of these roles. “Yes, communication workers have significant responsibilities,” she agrees. “But given the current economic climate, where we witness hospitals having to downsize, it seems illogical that the number of communication advisors continues to rise. It appears somewhat absurd that there is no hiring freeze within this sector.”
Earlier this month, Helse Nord announced plans to reduce costs by NOK 576 million by 2026, with staffing set to bear the brunt of these cuts.