– Right now it looks very dark, but we cannot give up hope. There are so many people who want this offer, says Børre Nedrejord Rakstang. The day-to-day manager at the children’s hospice Andreas Hus in Kristiansand sits on the sofa in the entrance area. On Thursday, a crucial board meeting was held at the dining table directly behind him. It then became clear that a unanimous board of the Association for Children’s Palliative Care (FFB) chose to dismiss the founder of Andreas Hus, Natasha Pedersen with immediate effect. The reason is the report from the Directorate of Health that was published on Thursday. Here, a number of objectionable findings related to spending money came to light. The Norwegian Directorate of Health has stated that the association must pay back a two-digit million sum. They also stop all future funding. The association had applied for NOK 30 million. Tough day for the employees The daily manager gave the employees time off on Friday after a demanding day on Thursday when the report came and Pedersen lost his job. He says the wait until the report has been difficult for the 13 employees. – It was good to finally get to know the content. It confirms that there were no attempts at personal gain and that most of the money has gone to Andreas Hus. – What do you think about what came out in the report? – I have neither spent time nor effort thinking about it. My focus is on our employees and guests, says Rakstang. The general manager at Andreas Hus Børre Nedrejord Rakstang was alone at work on Friday morning. He now focuses on the employees and families who want to come to the children’s hospice. Photo: Heidi Ditlefsen / news “Rich uncle in America” Andreas Hus was supposed to take in seriously ill children and their families already this month. Now everything is put on hold. Many families get in touch and wonder what is happening. Will they ever get this offer? – Talking to the families is both strong and touching. There are many who are now waiting to see what happens. I hope for the best. – How are you going to manage to get 30 million? – It will be exciting to see, and it is beyond my control. I hope there is “a rich uncle in America” who can make himself known and help us start this offer. Until we know more, we are working as we have been doing. The employees started in November. They have spent the time on further education through NTNU. Rakstang says it is the board of the association that takes care of the dialogue with the Directorate of Health. The association has until 10 February to give feedback on the report. The Directorate of Health then comes up with a conclusion. In November, the Directorate of Health and PwC, which wrote the investigation report, visited Andreas Hus in Kristiansand. Photo: John-André Samuelsen / news The mayor: – Must look ahead Mayor of Kristiansand Jan Oddvar Skisland (Ap) says the content of the investigation report was more dramatic than he had thought beforehand. He now doubts that Andreas Hus will become anything. – The feedback from the Directorate of Health indicates that it is difficult to get funds to start this. He thinks it’s a shame that it looks like Andreas Hus is missing the finish line, but is not afraid that the building will benefit others. – There are many other players who can use the building. Andreas Hus is part of the health district Eg where they want to build up more health-related activities, says Skisland. He mentions, for example, the relief institutions Lillebølgen and Storebølgen, which are located directly across the road from Andreas Hus. It is Kristiansand municipality that has borne the costs for the construction of Andrea’s house. NOK 75 million has been spent on this. Mayor Jan Oddvar Skisland (Ap) says there are many other players who can benefit from the Andreas Hus building. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news
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The employees at Andreas Hus refuse to give up – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
