Employees, patients and the population of Finnmark have sent a number of inquiries, says county doctor Anne Grethe Olsen to news. People are afraid of the consequences of dramatic savings. Now Olsen comes out and confirms that they will continue to keep a close eye on what happens to the hospital, after they had a supervisory meeting with them earlier in October. – The reports of concern relate to the fact that the process is going too fast, that the municipalities and employees are not sufficiently heard, and that there is too little focus on the patient services – and too much on the economy, says Olsen. – For us, it is important to ensure that patient safety is safeguarded in these types of processes. In the meeting with the hospital, the county doctor called for a risk analysis and a plan for mitigating measures. – It is a very short process before Finnmarkssykehuset will have a report for consideration by the board as early as November. So we question whether they are able to take care of the offers to the patients when everything has to go so quickly. Olsen is concerned that the hospital must communicate well with the municipalities. They meet in the so-called health community. – If the process is too short, then you will not be able to make the necessary clarifications with the municipalities. And there is a risk that there is insufficient focus on patient safety. – What can you say about patient safety in Finnmark Hospital today? – For now, it is not the case that we can say that it has weakened. But if processes go too quickly, if you don’t get the necessary input, especially from our municipalities, then we think that this could affect the service offerings and patient safety in the population. 300 million down Tomorrow, director Ole Hope will present an outline of how Finnmark Hospital will cut 300 million from next year. The operation itself will be NOK 200 million cheaper. In addition, the overdraft must be repaid with NOK 100 million. At the same time as the reorganisation, the new Hammerfest hospital will be put into use. While this is happening, criticism from the professional community at the hospital is increasing. A number of doctors have sent a message of concern about the consequences of the cuts, as they are now implemented. Retired doctor Helge Søndenå believes that good professional environments join the drag when Finnmark Hospital cuts millions. Photo: Gunnar Sætra / news Many sources do not dare to speak to news. Doctor Helge Søndenå has just retired, and believes that Hope’s approach hits hard. – He tears down. He destroys the desire to work and the working environment, Søndenå told news last week. Søndenå is concerned with the professional environments in the hospitals. They take time to build up, but can disappear almost overnight. – We have built stone upon stone over many years and built up a good professional environment. A department where people thrive and want to stay. Doctors on duty come back and take up work. It is not a given. And it’s cheap, as opposed to having short-term temporary workers, which is expensive and bad. Hope responded to the accusations by e-mail: “Finnmarks hospital has been in a very demanding situation for a long time, and we will now rebuild the hospital to put in place a more solid organization that can stand for many years to come. Sometimes that means making decisions that are not equally liked by everyone.” Chairman of the board Lena Nymo Helli at Finnmarkssykehuset stands behind the heavily criticized director Ole Hope. Photo: Jonas Løken Estenstad / news Promises risk assessment Director Ole Hope at Finnmarkssykehuset is currently traveling and has not yet been available for an interview. Via the information department, he gives these comments to the county doctor’s message that they are following the process and are concerned. – Patient safety is safeguarded in accordance with the procedures and guidelines that apply. All proposals will be assessed for risk and consequences before they are implemented. – The aim of the work we have started is, after all, to build a robust organization which will provide patients throughout the county with an equal health service of good quality. – In order to capture all aspects of the process, we have active co-determination according to the provisions of the main agreement, including information meetings and discussion meetings with the union representatives. We do this both at company and clinic level, says Hope. Published 29/10/2024, at 15.41
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