– They said they hadn’t forgotten me, but they couldn’t give me an appointment because of the Health Platform. So says Hege Christin Samdahl, who is dependent on treatment for chronic migraines and tension headaches. The new records system Helseplattformen was put into use at St. Olav on 12 November. Errors and deficiencies in the system have had a severe impact on the operation of the hospital, which is also felt well among the patients. Dependent on injections Every three months for several years, Samdahl has attended the neurological outpatient clinic at St. Olav to receive botox injections. This reduces the severe headaches, and normally she should have had her previous treatment on 4 November. Three times she has called and pestered to get an appointment. Each time they apologize and refer to the Health Platform. – For me, this is a treatment that makes life livable. Without treatment I am not doing so well. If the pattern is followed, she has migraine pain for 8–10 days a month. Now there are very few days without throbbing headaches. She constantly feels bad, and the severe pain in her head affects her whole body. – I’m not dying, but when the pattern is broken the treatment has a worse effect. That is not desirable, says Samdahl. Botox injections have been shown to have a good effect for patients with chronic migraine. Photo: Lars Kristian Skjetne / news Health Platform The Health Platform is responsible for implementing a new and common patient record for the health service in Central Norway If everything goes according to the Health Platform’s plan, the solution will be used by 40,000 employees in the health service 720,000 residents will then be able to access to their own journal digitally through the solution The project is owned by Helse Midt-Norge RHF and Trondheim municipality The health platform is the region’s largest IT project and has a cost frame of NOK 4.2 billion The health platform was introduced in Trondheim municipality in April. In November, it was introduced in St. Olav and six other municipalities in Trøndelag. Then follows the hospital in Levanger and Namsos and two new Trønder municipalities, and eventually Helse Møre and Romsdal and Ålesund municipality. So far, 19 out of 66 municipalities have signed the agreement, thereby becoming owners of the company. The aim is to get all municipalities in central Norway on the team, but for now several are waiting. Minister of Health and Care Ingvild Kjerkol has encouraged all municipalities in central Norway to join the Health Platform. Long waiting time She is not the only migraine patient at St. Olav who is waiting to receive treatment. – We have many patients in the same situation due to capacity problems. That’s what Eiliv Brenner, acting senior physician at the Department of Neurology at St. Olav, says. – We have had fewer hours available due to the introduction of the Health Platform, as well as the fact that we have a long waiting list from before. He goes on to say that the capacity challenges worsened this spring due to the pandemic. – Many people now have to wait up to four or five months to receive treatment with botulinum toxin. Hoping for help before Christmas The hospital is scheduled to resume normal operations from next week. Hege Christin Samdahl hopes she will get help soon. After 18 years of chronic migraines, she also suffers from fatigue, which makes the run-up to Christmas extra difficult. – The only thing that works in the head, neck and shoulders is botox, says Samdahl, who hopes she will soon receive the regular 35 injections. – It’s not fun to call and nag either. Three times should be enough. At the Neurosenteret at St. Olav, many patients have to wait to receive treatment. Photo: Erland Knutsen / news
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