– It is clear that it is experienced as difficult and dramatic to be exposed to this type of attack, but it must now be dealt with and we will do that, says Helle to TV 2.
The state administrator in Oslo and Akershus sent four letters to the psychiatrist on Monday with a number of questions about cases they have found reason to investigate further through supervision.
The background is several reports that have come against the psychiatrist since December last year.
“The information contains allegations of inadequate treatment and privatization of the relationship between patient and practitioner”, states the State Administrator.
Didn’t pay for hours
The psychiatrist is asked in-depth questions, among other things, about payment for therapy hours in one of the notification cases.
There is also a complaint from 2020 in the supervision case about a lack of framework for the treatment.
– It is completely unnatural for me to go into the details of the cases that are now on the state administrator’s table, which is important for me to emphasize is that two of the cases have already been dealt with and concluded. This concerns one case from 2003 and one case from 2020. Then there is a fourth case with a patient who has been dissatisfied with the treatment. All this we must now answer and and and and give thorough answers to the State Administrator, says Helle.
– Not in a gray area
It is the metoo allegations against the psychiatrist from cultural profiler Hilde Rød-Larsen before Christmas last year that are the background to the supervision case.
– There has never been a treatment relationship between the psychiatrist and Rød-Larsen. There has been nothing that has affected his work or her health, so this has nothing to do with the Health Personnel Act. The case is not in a gray area either, but we must answer all of this to the state administrator, says the lawyer.
Rød-Larsen, for her part, is relieved that her notice is being followed up with a comprehensive inspection.
The state administrator is also re-opening an earlier complaint from 2003/2004 with accusations against the psychiatrist about offensive behavior towards a minor patient.
– Stands on safe ground
The Norwegian Health Authority in Oslo and Akershus concluded at the time that the psychiatrist had not breached the Health Personnel Act or acted contrary to health legislation.
– It is difficult for me to put myself in the place of the health authorities and look at what should have been done differently 20 years ago. The main point for the psychiatrist is that the case was closed, and his explanation was based on the accusations that he had shown some form of abusive behavior were refuted. It is completely unthinkable to imagine that the conclusion would be different today, says the lawyer.
LAWYER: Halvard Helle defends the psychiatrist and says nothing is wrong with his activities. Photo: Erik Monrad-Hansen / TV 2
– What reflections does he make regarding the consequences for his own business based on the supervision case?
– I see it as he has run his business for four decades. He stands on safe, professional and humane ground. He is a psychiatrist, he is used to handling patients. There is nothing in these cases that shakes his professional or personal integrity, says Helle to TV 2.
