The Welfare Commission's Statement of Intent - a step in the right direction
The government appointed the Welfare Commission on December 19, 2019 with the aim of finding ways to strengthen welfare. We welcome that the Welfare Commission yesterday, December 2, presented one of its first deliveries - a declaration of intent between the government and SKR on increased digitization and reduced IT hassle.
Healthcare today faces many challenges - not least linked to the coronavirus but also related to demographic developments. Welfare is facing an ageing population and more children are being born. Statistical Central Bureau of Statistics forecast of the composition of the population shows e.g. that the proportion of people aged 80 and over will increase by more than 50% by 2030. This is a significant increase, especially in relation to the increase in the working-age population, which is much smaller. We need to accelerate the digital transformation of the entire health and care system, and we need to do so urgently.
The coronavirus pandemic quickly converted parts of schools to distance learning. The development accelerated, but now there is a need for coordination with, for example, common standards that can increase digitization. A well-functioning school platform, collected student data and good planning tools make it easier for teachers to focus on teaching and students regardless of where they live and what their needs are. It will be a more common and efficient use of resources that benefits both citizens and the business.
As an industry organization, we have already presented our thoughts on what is required to achieve a digital welfare Sweden before the start of the Welfare Commission and also through our collaboration with the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise pressed for the need for a national IT infrastructure for the welfare sector.
These ideas are fully in line with what is now being presented:
- The lack of a modern national digital infrastructure that ensures a secure and cost-effective exchange of information between welfare actors. -that the need for a digital infrastructure and common national rules that span all levels of society is necessary to strengthen confidence in society's ability to create security and stability, as well as access to good and equal welfare. - That with the help of digitization we would also as Commission now say could give those who work in welfare better conditions to more confidently handle their tasks in corona crisis. We are confident that a similar situation in the future will be more manageable effectively if the Welfare Commission's ideas are now implemented. The declaration of intent is an initiative from the Welfare Commission for the state and SKR to conclude an agreement aimed at jointly developing the digital infrastructure of welfare. As stated at the press meeting with the Welfare Commission a two-part process is now underway. The first part includes a mapping and analysis phase that will set the framework for the negotiation phase. The aim is for the mapping and analysis phase to be completed in spring 2021 and the negotiation to be completed by September 2021. The aim is for the negotiation to lead to a common view of what should be included in a digital infrastructure for welfare. The coronavirus crisis shows that we can change and that development can proceed much faster than before. The Welfare Commission's presentation confirms that there are clear needs and increased acceptance. It is therefore time to accelerate and stimulate concrete implementation so that the issue does not drag on! In the further workt we hope that the Welfare Commission invites the business community to join the conversation. Digitization and innovation is largely driven by private actors which is part of the solution. The private sector is keen to be part of creating solutions for the future. Christina Ramm-Ericson
Head of Industrial Policy
- The lack of a modern national digital infrastructure that ensures a secure and cost-effective exchange of information between welfare actors. -that the need for a digital infrastructure and common national rules that span all levels of society is necessary to strengthen confidence in society's ability to create security and stability, as well as access to good and equal welfare. - That with the help of digitization we would also as Commission now say could give those who work in welfare better conditions to more confidently handle their tasks in corona crisis. We are confident that a similar situation in the future will be more manageable effectively if the Welfare Commission's ideas are now implemented. The declaration of intent is an initiative from the Welfare Commission for the state and SKR to conclude an agreement aimed at jointly developing the digital infrastructure of welfare. As stated at the press meeting with the Welfare Commission a two-part process is now underway. The first part includes a mapping and analysis phase that will set the framework for the negotiation phase. The aim is for the mapping and analysis phase to be completed in spring 2021 and the negotiation to be completed by September 2021. The aim is for the negotiation to lead to a common view of what should be included in a digital infrastructure for welfare. The coronavirus crisis shows that we can change and that development can proceed much faster than before. The Welfare Commission's presentation confirms that there are clear needs and increased acceptance. It is therefore time to accelerate and stimulate concrete implementation so that the issue does not drag on! In the further workt we hope that the Welfare Commission invites the business community to join the conversation. Digitization and innovation is largely driven by private actors which is part of the solution. The private sector is keen to be part of creating solutions for the future. Christina Ramm-Ericson
Head of Industrial Policy