The medical aids operation, formerly known as Länsservice, became part of the new Habilitering och hjälpmedel department at the start of the year. According to Region Norrbotten Nyheter, unit manager Eva-Marie Fellermark described the collaboration between the region and municipalities as unique in Sweden, with a joint medical aids committee. The operation handles the entire chain from procurement and storage to adaptation, delivery, and advice, managing approximately 65,000 rented medical aids across the county.
The most common medical aid is the red Carl-Oskar rollator. About 16,000 medical aids are reconditioned annually after being returned. The medical aids webpages are the most visited on the region's healthcare provider website. According to Region Norrbotten Nyheter, Fellermark explained that patients cannot choose their own medical aid; it requires a medical assessment and prescription by a doctor, occupational therapist, or physiotherapist. A project is ongoing regarding the future location of the storage facility, but the timeline has not been disclosed.
There is no similar collaboration anywhere else in the country. We have a long culture of good cooperation in Norrbotten and it has continued since the committee was established. The collaboration takes place both strategically, tactically, and operationally, and we have a good dialogue between the region and the municipalities characterized by patient focus and consensus.
No, it is very cramped. We have storage spaces in various places in the county, including at all five hospitals, but we would still need more space here because the growth and demand for medical aids have been high for many years. A project is ongoing regarding the future location because we have outgrown these premises.
No, as a patient you cannot choose your medical aid. It is preceded by a medical assessment before the prescription, which is made by, for example, a doctor, occupational therapist, or physiotherapist. We are part of the care chain.