Background: The merging of hospitals into health enterprises ensued from the Norwegian hospital reform of 2002. A complex restructuring process lasting from 2007 to 2009 resulted in the merger of three hospitals into the University Hospital of North Norway.
Material and method: Clinical activities were reorganised into fewer and larger units (divisions) and changed from in-patient to day treatment. Leadership was established across geographic units, and a programme for improving patient care pathways was launched. The experience gained is described by means of activity data from January 2006 to April 2011.
Results: The number of patient contacts in the somatic sector was temporarily reduced by 7 % in 2009. The mean waiting period increased from 80 days in 2006 to 108 days in 2010, but fell to 85 days in 2011. In psychiatry and specialised cross-disciplinary addiction therapy, the number of patient contacts increased, and waits were unchanged or shortened. National quality indicators showed unchanged or improved results. The number of scientific publications increased by 62 %. Productivity (DRG points per employee-month) increased from 0.73 to 0.79. The annual financial outcome was improved by NOK 537 million (12 % of the 2006 budget). 81 % of the employees were satisfied with their jobs after the restructuring.
Interpretation: We maintained activity and the quality of patient treatment at a high level through the change period, and the hospital's financial position has improved. The methods used do not allow conclusions on possible causal relationships between the change process and the results achieved in core activities.