– Now we are left without a treatment offer. We think this is sad and it affects a lot of people, says Kristin Fredwall. She is the mother of Alexandra (16), who has been receiving treatment from doctor and trans person Espen Esther Pirelli Benestad for almost two years. Yesterday it became known that Benestad, who has worked as a doctor for 37 years, will be stripped of his authorisation. In the 42-page decision, they state that he has carried out inadequate investigations of patients with gender incongruence, and irresponsible use of addictive drugs. The reports of concern that led to the investigation of Benestad must come from, among other things, GPs. Now that Benestad has lost his authorisation, he also loses the ability to write prescriptions. Fears of depressed young people This, among other things, worries Fredwall, who heads the organization Parents of trans youth in the South. Now they wonder what will happen to the treatment their children are in the middle of. In the decision from the Norwegian Health Authority, it is stated that they have received around 200 statements of support from private individuals who “believe that there are few doctors who have the expertise on gender incongruence that you have and that it will be serious for the mental health of many patients if you revoke your authorization as a doctor”. Alexandra’s mother confirms this. – The consequence can be that you get young people who are terribly depressed. We are afraid for Alexandra’s mental health in this, says Fredwall. Alexandra is on puberty blockers and estrogen. In three months, they will run out of medication. – If she stops now, she will go back to a boy’s puberty. We would like to receive an answer from the Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Health Authority about who will now take over the treatment. Alexandra came out as transgender two years ago. She wanted to start hormone therapy quickly and there was no alternative to queuing up at Rikshospitalet. Photo: Siv Kristin Sællmann / news According to Fredwall, Alexandra’s GP has expressed that she does not have enough competence to take over the medication. Fredwall does not understand Benestad’s criticism. She thinks it is strange that the Norwegian Health Authority does not listen to the parents’ voices. – We are many adults who have made a well-considered decision to go to Espen Esther with our children. I find it sad that our voices are not heard in this matter. The phone rests on the desk of sexologist Pirelli Benestad. It has boiled over after the Norwegian Health Authority announced yesterday that he will lose his doctor’s licence. Photo: Geir Ingar Egeland / news Received hundreds of messages Inside the office of Espen Esther Pirelli Benestad in Grimstad, the mobile phone on the office desk vibrates. The messages have been pouring in throughout the night and day. – There are messages of concern and fear from people who feel that they may be thrown out into the blue. And then there are lots of statements of support. I could read out hundreds of them, says Benestad. She does not recognize herself in the criticism from the Norwegian Health Authority. – You don’t recognize yourself in the description of yourself? – No, and no one with real knowledge in this subject will do that. – Did you expect the reaction from the inspectorate to be so harsh? – No, I’m still speechless. And I’ve probably received a few hundred confirmations of how speechless I have reason to be in the last 24 hours. The sexologist and the doctor have been given three weeks to respond to the decision. The 73-year-old has decided to appeal the decision which deprives him of the right to be a doctor. Inadequate investigation The Norwegian Health Authority believes that Benestad has not followed the guidelines for how to prescribe addictive drugs in a responsible manner. – And in our assessment, he has not provided for an investigation of the person with gender inequality in a proper way, says assistant director Heidi Merete Rudi. – Benestad has received 200 inquiries in the last 24 hours from people who are afraid of being sent to someone who does not understand the problem. What do you say to that? – Whatever the basis for a doctor losing his authorisation, there will be problems and difficulties for the patients in question. In order for them to be looked after in a good way, the doctor must ensure that they get in touch with others who can help them. Assistant director of the National Health Inspectorate Heidi Merete Rudi. Out for a “doctor courtship” Karoline Skarstein is the leader of FRI Rogaland. Skarstein says that she is contacted by many who are worried about what will now happen to their treatment. She herself was also a patient at Benestad. The help that Pirelli Benestad offers is also available elsewhere. But according to Skarstein, many doctors are reluctant to give it. – It feels like you have to go out again, almost on a doctor’s courtship. In the hope of finding some doctor who wants to help you, she says. Karoline Skarstein leads FRI in Rogaland. She has also been a patient at Benestad. Photo: Renate Wiik On Friday, demonstrations are planned to support Benestad both in Trondheim, Oslo, Kristiansand and Bergen. In Kristiansand, Kristin Fredwall and Alexandra will go by train. – I would never have received this treatment so quickly if I had gone to Riksen. I would have been stuck where I was two years ago, says Alexandra. – Does anyone think several of those Benestad helps are too young? – I learned both about side effects and the health effects of the medicines. It’s a serious “thing” and you know what you’re getting into, says Alexandra.
ttn-69
Espen Esther Benestad loses her medical license – parents fear for their children – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
