Landskapsnära

Landskapsnära is a Swedish term used in health and social care policy to describe services that are delivered close to residents’ daily lives. The concept emphasizes care that is geographically and organizationally near the population, typically through local health centers, home-based services, and collaboration across municipal social services and regional health care. The aim is to provide person-centered, preventive, and coordinated care that remains accessible in the community.

In policy discussions, landskapsnära care is promoted as a way to strengthen primary care, home care, rehabilitation, and social support by improving continuity and accessibility. It is often framed as regional planning that involves cooperation between county councils and municipalities within a defined geographic area, or “landskap,” with the intention of reducing the need for hospital-based services and ensuring equitable care across urban and rural areas.

Implementation typically involves organizational elements such as local care centers, hemsjukvård (home health care), rehabilitation teams, and care coordinators who work across sectors. Shared care plans, joint governance, integrated funding streams, and digital tools for information sharing and remote monitoring are commonly highlighted features. Clear delineation of roles, boundaries, and escalation procedures between municipal and regional actors is considered essential for successful operation.

Potential benefits include improved access to services, more coherent patient pathways, and stronger support for older adults and people with chronic conditions. Expected outcomes also include reduced avoidable hospital admissions and better patient satisfaction. Challenges center on financing models, data sharing and privacy, workforce capacity, and the need for consistent regional leadership and governance.