– It’s a relief, says mum Anette Kværnøy. All summer she has fought a battle to get enough relief and health care for her daughter. – It has been extremely tough. Lotte has also had several emergency admissions. Last week at the latest, says the mother. Lotte has a congenital, serious heart defect. Therefore, the family has been in and out of Rikshospitalet since she was born. When they returned home, they received home help and respite services 88 hours a week. But in June this year, Karmøy municipality reduced relief and health care at weekends from 88 hours a week to 40.5 hours. The reason was that Lotte’s state of health was better. Mum Anette Kværnøy often has to have Lotte (2) on her lap. Photo: Private The family complained to the State Administrator in Rogaland, and the case has since been processed there. Now the State Administrator believes that the family should receive 78 hours of weekly help. “We therefore consider that you do not get reasonable relief (…) with the municipality’s decision”, they write in the decision. Have taken the siblings into account The family now gets to keep all the relief at night. Two hours of relief during the day have been taken away because Lotte’s sister is in kindergarten at that time. – And it’s going just fine since I’m at home, says Kværnøy. Lotte has twin sister Lillia and three older siblings. When the State Administrator has now assessed what health care Lotte should receive, these have also been important to take into account. – We get family relief in the morning before we deliver Lillia to the nursery. We really appreciate that, says Anette Kværnøy. When news met the family this summer, they wanted someone external to investigate Karmøy municipality. Several politicians also took up the fight, and the issue was raised in both the chairmanship and the municipal council. – We have received good help, says Kværnøy. I hope it turns out that way. The State Administrator in Rogaland also does not ignore the fact that the number of hours may have to be increased from 78, because in the conclusion they write: “The question in this case is whether you are entitled to more relief than what you get today.” They are assessing the case based on documentation they received in July this year. Therefore, they continuously ask the municipality to evaluate Lotte’s condition. – I hope the municipality follows up now. And then I hope they don’t come in a year and take away our help again, says Kværnøy. The municipality apologizes Health and care manager Nora Olsen-Sund writes in an e-mail to news that Karmøy municipality will now have a review of the routines. – What do you think about the decision from the State Administrator? – It is important to state that a reduction in the help offered to Lotte was never carried out, the child currently has 88 hours of help a week with relief every night from 23-08. If the decision to reduce the number of hours had been carried out, it would, according to the State Administrator, have led to inappropriate relief. We are happy that during this period the child has received the help she needs, writes Olsen-Sund. Nora Olsen-Sund in Karmøy municipality. Photo: Marthe Synnøve Johannessen / news – Do you now admit that you misjudged when you wanted to cut? – Today the child has 88 hours and this will be reduced to 78 hours by reducing two hours of relief per weekday in the morning. At the same time, relief at night will be maintained from 11 pm to 8 am every day. Karmøy municipality decided to reduce the offer by 1.5 hours per night, this now appears to be an incorrect assessment. We apologize for that. Karmøy municipality will submit a case for political consideration regarding award criteria for health and care services related to children. Lotte is waiting for an extensive heart operation. But she can’t take it until she’s a little older. – The municipal director in Karmøy has already said that similar cases must be treated equally. Therefore, I hope this can contribute to more people getting the necessary health care they need for their child, says Anette Kværnøy.
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Heart-sick Lotte (2) did not receive proper health care when Karmøy municipality cut it – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
