At the end of August, Minister of Health Ingvild Kjerkol promised to come up with a quick decision for the future of the maternity ward in Kristiansund. It’s been five weeks now. – They have clearly asked for a quick clarification on the way forward. I am prepared to give them that within a short time, said Kjerkol. It was about weeks, not months, the minister said. The maternity department is the only one in the country with a parliamentary decision to remain open. Nevertheless, it has mostly been closed for the past year and a half, because the healthcare company cannot get hold of enough professionals. This means that mothers in labor have to travel long distances. The promise to the top level Over a month after the promise to the Minister of Health, frustration is growing. Employees, parents and politicians want answers. The government is keeping its cards close to its chest. Nor do the parliamentary representatives of the two government parties get a signal about what will be decided on the future of the maternity ward. According to what news knows, the matter has been raised to the highest level in the government, that is to say the prime minister and the finance minister. The Minister of Health writes to news that she will make a decision as quickly as possible. Beyond that, he has no comment. Thinks it is unsustainable Johan Kippervik is not impressed by the time spent. Photo: Eirik Haukenes / news At the hospital, the staff think it is demanding to go and wait for the decision of the Minister of Health. – They add toil. We in maternity care are used to making decisions, which have serious consequences, within a few seconds. It is unsustainable that the politicians spend so much time. They could not have worked with us, says Johan Kippervik, head of the maternity wards in Kristiansund and Molde. – Almost the same what the decision will be – Out of respect for professionals and patients, the Minister of Health should come up with a decision as soon as possible, says Igor Jokic. Photo: Sissel Brunstad / news According to the chief union for the Trade Union at Kristiansund hospital, it is a psychological strain that it drags on. – It is exhausting for the employees on the food. We want an answer as soon as possible. It is almost the same what the decision will be, as long as we avoid living in this uncertainty, says Mariann Gussiås Svendsen. – This is about workplaces, the future, and families who will plan their lives further. With each passing day, the danger increases that more people will quit. We can’t afford to lose anyone, says Igor Jokic, company representative for the Association of Medical Practitioners in Møre og Romsdal. I think the delay creates more uncertainty and noise. The government has guaranteed that the maternity ward will be open and has allowed NOK 25 million to get the ward back on its feet. However, the Health Insurance Corporation has not managed to do so. Three hospital managers have resigned from their jobs, because they believe it is not possible to reopen the maternity ward. If the maternity ward is not opened, the cooperation agreement between the governing parties is at stake. Locally in Kristiansund, the Labor Party and the Center Party agree that the maternity allowance should continue. – Trygve Slagsvold Vedum has said that the maternity services should not be closed as long as the Center Party is in government. If he nevertheless agrees to it, there will be consequences for the cooperative climate, says Berit Frey, deputy mayor in Kristiansund (Sp). – It is not fortunate that this drags on. It creates more uncertainty and noise. We need clarity, says Berit Frey, deputy mayor in Kristiansund (Sp). Photo: Roar Halten Both she and the mayor had expected the health minister’s decision to come sooner. – It is demanding to be in a kind of vacuum. This is not a simple matter. I don’t know if there are any negotiations going on, and I am very excited about what comes from the minister, says Kjell Neergaard (Ap). – Highly dramatic political battle – The center party has the most to lose if the government wants to close down the maternity services in the city, says Lars Nehru Sand. Photo: Anne Liv Ekroll / news According to political commentator in news, Lars Nehru Sand, the case is imminent because a highly dramatic political battle between the two governing parties is likely to take place. – It has become a bigger political issue within the government than Kjerkol thought when she was visiting Kristiansund. The Center Party refers to the wording in the Hurdal platform that there should be a maternity service in Kristiansund. Sand believes the decision will come before or at the same time as the government’s proposal for the state budget is presented on 6 October. Will not comment on the Health Authority’s struggle to recruit professionals when the rest of the country also lacks midwives and gynecologists. If they are to entice with higher wages or move people from other places, they fear that other hospitals will have to close their departments. Kjerkol was given a tour of the maternity ward. It was open on weekdays for three weeks this summer. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news Director of Health Møre and Romsdal, Øyvind Bakke, will not comment on the matter now. After the board meeting of the health authority on 20 September, he admitted that they spend a lot of time and energy on the matter. – It is demanding to stand in such a case over time, not least for our employees. They constantly get questions about the status of this when they are at the store, pick up at the nursery and the like, so it is clear that it is a burden for them. Demand that the maternity ward remains open In June, people cheered and waved flags in Kristiansund, because critical personnel were finally in place and thus the maternity ward could reopen after being closed for over a year. The luck lasted for three weeks. Then some of the employees called in sick and the department had to remain closed again. The chairman of the Bunadsgeriljaen, Ingrid Uthaug, is crystal clear in her message to the Minister of Health – the Storting has given a marching order. The government’s policy is to keep this maternity ward open. We expect this to be followed and are very frustrated that it has not happened. The Ministry of Health and Care wrote in an e-mail to news that they refer to what they have previously said that a decision will be taken as soon as possible. Beyond that, they have no comment. The Bunads guerrilla had a demonstration outside the hospital in Kristiansund when the Minister of Health was visiting. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news
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Still waiting for the Minister of Health’s “quick” clarification about the maternity ward in Kristiansund – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
