[Is decentralisation of specialised healthcare beneficial in social and financial terms?].

Background: This article examines the issues of whether decentralisation of specialised healthcare is socially and economically beneficial, who benefit from it, and who carry the costs.

Material And Method: Data for this study was drawn from an out-patient clinic in the town of Alta in northern Norway. A cost analysis was done based on 5026 consultations in an out-patient clinic over a six-month period in 2002.