The Committee has during two days (14 – 15 Jan) studied the Swedish health and social care system and the role of regional and local authorities. The visit is part of an inquiry into integration and funding of health and social care services. The background is the NHS (National Health Services) reform, which gives the local authorities a more important role than previously.
On the evening of January 14 a roundtable discussion during dinner was hosted by the UK Embassy at the residence of the Ambassador. This discussion was lead by Alison Thorpe, Chargé d’Affairs at the Embassy, and the Chairman of the Select Committee, Rt. Hon. Clive Betts MP.
Swedish experts on local government in general and health care in particular were invited to this occasion. Among these were Councillor Stig Nyman, Stockholm County Council, Councillor Marlene Burwick, City of Uppsala and Lars M Andersson. Mr Andersson took also the opportunity to discuss, with the Chairman of the Committee, the ongoing project to form a Local Government Funding Agency in England and Wales.
