– I was very frustrated. I spent a lot of time trying to call the doctor’s office, was in Helsenorge, and even drove to the doctor’s office. That’s what Eline Jensrud says, who, after several attempts to get in touch with the doctor’s office, saw no other solution than to go to a private doctor at Aleris. It was not appropriate to wait any longer to get medical help. A consultation with a general practitioner in Aleris costs NOK 1,460. – I am resourceful and can seek other solutions, but not everyone else can. And I think a whole summer without having an adequate offer is… yes, I think it’s a bit bad. news has been in contact with the doctor’s office, which confirms that they were closed for ten days in the latter half of July due to holiday closures. – We try to prepare the patients as best we can, and have agreements with the neighboring office. But it is always regrettable when patients do not get the help they need. Twice as many patients CEO of Aleris, Anita Tunold. Photo: William Jobling / news There are no statistics on summer-closed doctors’ offices and the number of people there, but several of the private doctors’ offices news has been in contact with tell of extra large numbers of people this summer. – Overall, at Aleris this summer we have carried out more than 65 per cent more patient consultations than last year, says Anita Tunold, managing director of Aleris. She believes a possible explanation is doctors’ offices closed in the summer and long waiting times in the public sector. Dr. Dropin also says that they have never carried out more consultations during a summer like this one. – When many others close down, we choose to stay open. We see that the patients also have a great need in the summer. The doctor’s appointments that are outside are disappearing, says Anne Marte Ladim, medically responsible for medical services at Dr. Dropin. Anne Marte Ladim, medically responsible for medical services in Dr. Dropin. Photo: Jon Petrusson / news Increasing differences between people Hospital doctor and shop steward in the Young Doctors’ Association, Andreas Aass-Engstrøm believes that an increased private market is a challenge for the entire welfare state. – It goes against the principle that everyone should have the right to equal health services, regardless of wallet. Aass-Engstrøm is involved in health policy, and is concerned about what he describes as “an escape from the public health system”. – It is clear that when we lack people both in the hospitals and in general practice, the summer is extra vulnerable. Hospitals and the GP service must ensure that they are attractive workplaces for healthcare personnel. The responsibility lies with the politicians and health managers. Andreas Aass-Engstrøm is afraid we are being steered towards a two-part healthcare system. Photo: Robert Hansen / news He believes that increased workload, lack of professional influence, less time with patients and deprioritisation of education make hospitals unattractive workplaces. The consequences of that, he believes, are a weakened public service with increased differences between people. – Those who can afford it receive treatment elsewhere. This will in turn increase the flight of skills and increase waiting lists. On the right track Health and Care Minister Jan Christian Vestre (Ap) tells news that it is not good that patients do not get a doctor’s appointment in the summer, or that they have to wait a long time. – When we came into government, we took over a GP scheme in crisis. Fortunately, that trend has now reversed. We have never recruited more GPs than now, and we see that most of the figures are now pointing in the right direction. Minister of Health and Care Jan Christian Vestre. Photo: NTB Vestre says that they are working hard to strengthen the GP scheme, and says that he will not give up until he is confident that everyone in Norway will get the health care they should have, when they need it. – The challenge over the past few years has been that too few GPs have been recruited, and that we have unfortunately lost several GPs out of the profession. Published 17.08.2024, at 07.48
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Private doctors’ offices experience increased traffic in the summer – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
