A municipal chief physician in Trøndelag has been temporarily suspended by the Norwegian Health Authority following reports from a number of female patients about transgressive and sexual behaviour. The police have charged the doctor with abusing his position to obtain sexual intercourse. 58 women have reported to the doctor. The abuse allegations stretch back to the 1990s. The doctor denies criminal responsibility. Unforeseen expenses in the millions In mid-October, the municipality started a formal dismissal process against the municipal superintendent accused of abuse. Now the municipality confirms that the doctor has been dismissed, after a long and very expensive process. The municipality concluded on Tuesday. This will be revealed in a press conference on Wednesday. This abuse case has cost the municipality millions. These unforeseen expenses may mean that they have to cut staff in kindergartens and schools, the director of the municipality has previously stated to news. Notifications about pelvic examinations It was on 9 May 2022 that the municipal management learned for the first time that the State Administrator in Trøndelag had opened supervision proceedings against the doctor. The background was reports from female patients about unpleasant experiences. At the time, the doctor was employed as a municipal chief physician and GP in the small municipality of Trønder. During the summer of 2022, the supervisory case grew. Alerts were constantly received from women who told about abuse: about massage in the abdomen and other unpleasant experiences during gynecological examinations at the doctor. On 18 July, the Norwegian Health Authority decided to temporarily suspend the authorization of the doctor. On 24 August, the doctor was charged with abusing his position to obtain sexual intercourse. The same day, the police searched his home. Asking for a public investigation 87 people have called the contact phone that the municipality of Trøndelag has set up together with Nok Trøndelag. This will be revealed in the press conference on Wednesday. Now 58 women have the status of offended in the police investigation. The municipality states on Wednesday that they are receiving feedback that there are several people who have not contacted the police or the municipality. Therefore, they believe that there may be more people affected in the case. They now want an independent and public investigation of the case. The helpline will be open for a long time to come, says acting municipal superintendent. Received warning after offer of clitoral massage This assault case is one of the largest and most resource-intensive assault cases in Trøndelag police district, according to investigation manager Ellen Mari Burheim. In 2007, the doctor received a warning from the Norwegian Health Authority after, according to three female patients, he allegedly offered clitoral massage in connection with gynecological examinations. You can hear the whole story about the municipal superintendent accused of abuse in this episode of the podcast Updated:
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Learned about abuse allegations eight months ago – now the municipal superintendent has been dismissed by the municipality – news Trøndelag
