The police have opened 57 cases against a municipal chief medical officer in Trøndelag who is accused of abusing his position to obtain sexual intercourse. The Norwegian Health Authority has temporarily revoked the doctor’s authorization. He has appealed the suspension and denies criminal responsibility. Over 4 million in extra costs On 18 July, the doctor was suspended from his position in the municipality. The doctor is on sick leave, which means that the municipality has had to pay for substitutes. He worked both as a municipal doctor and a general practitioner. – A preliminary calculation shows that we will receive around NOK 1.4 million in extra costs as a result of the case this year. The municipal director confirms this to news. He has previously mentioned this figure to Trønder-Avisa. But then there are also future costs, which are currently estimated at around NOK 1 million extra per year over a three-year period. The total will be NOK 4.4 million. – These are direct costs. The working time for employees connected to the case is not expensed, emphasizes the municipal director. The municipality has not previously set aside financial funds for preparedness and crisis management, and must therefore take money from other budget items, the director of the municipality explains. Photo: Nareas Sae-Khow / news Can go beyond school and nursery services These costs will affect the services that the municipality can provide to its citizens. It comes on top of other financial challenges, which all municipalities and the whole country are facing right now, explains the municipal director. – That is why we propose to increase the property tax, so that we get more income. We also have to look at downsizing. There may be talk of cutting man-years within schools and kindergartens, so that we can cover the increased costs. In addition, the municipal director has considered merging kindergartens, as well as longer summer closures for the kindergartens. He writes that in the proposal for next year’s budget. The ongoing abuse case is very demanding for both the municipality’s employees and the residents. The special case will affect operations for a long time to come, writes the municipal director in the budget proposal. – When we get increased costs as a result of this case, other areas in the municipality have to finance this. This must be covered by increased income or reduced costs. He states that there are a total of around 8 million in increased costs for next year. The municipal council must adopt the budget and financial plan in December. Concerned that the case is dragging on. The longer it takes before there is a final clarification against the doctor accused of assault and suspended, the more expensive it will be for the municipality. As it is now, they just have to wait for the two parallel processes that have been launched against the doctor. – I am afraid that the police investigation will drag on. The same applies to the inspection case held by the Norwegian Health Authority, says the municipal director. The Norwegian Health Inspectorate opened supervisory proceedings against the doctor on 24 April. In total, they have received 20 patient complaints against the doctor about offensive and unpleasant behaviour. Investigation manager Ellen Mari Burheim in Trøndelag police district says that they are working to go through records and documentation relating to all 57 women who have reported the doctor. Photo: Morten Waagø / news The doctor’s lawyer against the police – For the sake of the investigation, the police have asked us to wait to send advance notice of a final reaction to the doctor, Anne Myhr of the State Health Inspectorate previously told news. The doctor’s lawyer, Karl Bjørnar Olsen, has reacted to this. He is “surprised” that the police are interfering in the supervision case. The police have announced that the extensive investigation will take time. They must use medical experts to go through the records and interviews of the 57 women who have the status of offended in the case. In addition, the police will take more questions from the doctor, as well as other witnesses. You can hear the whole story about the municipal superintendent accused of abuse in this episode of the podcast Updated:
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