National Treatment Service for Sensory Loss and Mental Health (NBSPH)
Draft, translated: translated from the Norwegian original with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is the authoritative one. See the Norwegian original →
A nationwide service for deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted and deafblind children, young people and adults who also have mental health conditions. Who can be referred, and how?
Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 21 September 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.
The National Treatment Service for Sensory Loss and Mental Health, called NBSPH, is a nationwide service for people with a hearing or sight impairment who also have mental health conditions or difficulties. The aim is for deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted and deafblind people to receive mental health services just as good as everyone else's.
Who is the service for?
Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted and deafblind people with mental health difficulties. The service accepts children, young people and adults. It was established in 2008 and is based at Gaustad hospital in Oslo, as part of Oslo University Hospital. It has a child and adolescent unit, an adult unit, and a competence unit that carries out research and professional development. Together with regional centres elsewhere in the country, it aims to secure services outside the South-East region too.
The service communicates with patients in the way they prefer and use, for example sign language, tactile sign language, Norwegian spoken language, cued speech or written communication, with an interpreter or technical aids as needed.
Who can be referred?
According to NBSPH, the patient must have:
- hearing loss of more than 35 dB in the better ear (a one-sided loss may also be relevant), or sight loss with visual acuity below 6/18 (0.33) or extensive visual field loss,
- a mental health condition,
- and at least one additional criterion, for example reduced functioning at school, at work or in family life, other co-occurring conditions, or extensive need for adaptation.
If you are unsure, NBSPH encourages referrers to contact them to discuss the case.
How are you referred?
The referral is written by a doctor, psychologist or other referrer. The service does not describe a self-referral route. Talk to your GP, BUP or your local mental health service about a referral.
The referral (for both children and adults) is sent to OUS, Mental Health Services for Adults (HER-id 112036), noting that the patient is being referred to NBSPH. Use the BUP referral form, and describe both the mental health difficulties and how the sensory loss affects them.
After referral, all patients get an assessment and follow-up plan showing who is responsible for what. The aim is local and regional anchoring, while NBSPH has a nationally limited responsibility.
Contact
Phone 22 02 90 30 or 22 02 90 40, weekdays 08:00 to 15:30. Email: [email protected] (do not send sensitive information by email).
Read also Right to healthcare from hospitals and psychiatric services and BUP.
Sources
- NBSPH. About the service (Norwegian)
- NBSPH. How to refer (Norwegian)
- Oslo University Hospital. National Treatment Service for Sensory Loss and Mental Health (Norwegian)
Kontaktpunkt24 gives general information, not legal advice. If you need help with your own case, contact a lawyer, a legal aid service, or the relevant authority.
This page is translated from Norwegian with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is always the authoritative one.