Region Västmanland

Region Västmanland, known before 1 January 2017 as Västmanland County Council (), is the regional council of Västmanland County. The region is primarily responsible for healthcare, public transport, regional development, and cultural activities.

History

Healthcare in Västmanland County dates back to 1765 when the Swedish government decided to organise hospitals on a county-wide basis. The first hospital in Västerås was established in 1766 and remained the only one in the county for a long time. County councils were formally established in 1862, with the first council meeting in Västmanland held on 14 September 1862, earlier than the official date to avoid clashing with the Västerås Market.

Responsibilities

Region Västmanland is responsible for a wide range of public services in its administrative area, including healthcare, public transport, education, and culture.

Healthcare

Region Västmanland operates hospitals and healthcare centres across the county.

Hospitals

The region manages four hospitals:
* Västmanlands Hospital Fagersta
* Västmanlands Hospital Köping
* Västmanlands Hospital Sala
* Västmanlands Hospital Västerås

Healthcare divisions

Region Västmanland is divided into several administrative units:
* Primary Care, Psychiatry, and Disability Services (PPHV)
* Västmanlands Hospital
* Regional Administrative Services
* Folktandvården Västmanland AB (Public Dental Care)

Public and private health centres

Region Västmanland operates both publicly owned and privately run healthcare centres, where residents register for primary care services.

Public transport

On 1 January 2012, a new public transport law took effect, making Region Västmanland solely responsible for public transportation in the county. The VL brand represents public transportation managed by the region's public transport authority. The region also collaborates with other transport providers such as Svealandstrafiken, Tåg i Bergslagen, and Mälardalstrafik for regional and interregional services.

Education

Region Västmanland operates one folk high school, Tärna folkhögskola, and collaborates with universities, including Uppsala University, for clinical research and healthcare education. The region also supports innovation, research, and education through its administrative units.

Culture

Region Västmanland is responsible for cultural initiatives, including museums, theatres, and music institutions:
* Västmanlands länsmuseum (Västmanland County Museum)
* Västmanlandsmusiken (regional music institution)
* Västerås Sinfonietta
* Västmanlands Teater
* Västerås Concert Hall
* Bibliotek i Västmanland (Regional Library Network)

Organisation and administration

Region Västmanland’s political decisions are implemented by its administrations and through its wholly or partly owned companies. The main organisational units are:

* **Fastighets- och serviceförvaltningen (Property and Services Administration):** Provides service functions and support to regional operations, including property management and maintenance.
* **Förvaltningen för digitaliseringsstöd (Digitalisation Support Administration):** Manages the region’s digital services, IT operations, and digitalisation efforts.
* **Hälso- och sjukvårdsförvaltningen (Healthcare Administration):** Oversees emergency care, diagnostics, primary care, psychiatry, disability services, and healthcare planning.
* **Kollektivtrafikförvaltningen (Public Transport Administration):** Responsible for the operation and development of public and special transport services in Västmanland.
* **Regional utvecklingsförvaltning (Regional Development Administration):** Coordinates regional development and growth initiatives.
* **Regionkontoret (Regional Office):** Handles tasks common to the entire region, such as administration, HR, finance, and communication.

Region Västmanland is the sole owner of **Folktandvården Västmanland AB**, which provides public dental care. The region is also a part-owner in the following companies:
* **Svealandstrafiken AB:** Operates regional public transport.
* **Tåg i Bergslagen:** Provides regional rail services.
* **Almi Företagspartner Mälardalen:** Supports business development.
* **Mälardalstrafik AB (Mälab):** Manages certain regional transport services.

Politics

Region Västmanland is governed by an elected regional council (''regionfullmäktige'') consisting of 77 members. The regional executive committee (''regionstyrelsen'') is responsible for executing decisions and preparing matters for the council.

Electoral districts

Västmanland County is divided into two electoral districts for regional elections:
* One covering Västerås Municipality and Sala Municipality
* One covering Norberg Municipality, Fagersta Municipality, Skinnskatteberg Municipality, Surahammar Municipality, Hallstahammar Municipality, Köping Municipality, Kungsör Municipality, and Arboga Municipality

References

External links

Official website

Election Authority

Västmanlands County Museum

{{coord missing, Sweden

Västmanland County
Västmanland
Västmanland