Helseplattformen crisis sparks calls for leadership change in Helse Midt-Norge

The situation surrounding the Helseplattformen has been described as a tragedy, with significant long-term financial implications for healthcare organizations. Anne Breiby, the former chair of the St. Olav hospital board, expressed her support for union representatives who are calling for the resignation of the board at Helse Midt-Norge.

Breiby has emphasized the need for a systematic change to ensure better governance within the healthcare system, suggesting that the current organizational model should be evaluated. She raised concerns regarding the board’s trustworthiness to lead Helse Midt-Norge effectively, especially following criticism from state auditors about the implementation of Helseplattformen.

In preparation for a meeting with the health minister, Odd Inge Mjøen, the current chair of Helse Midt-Norge, acknowledged that he might be asked to resign. However, he expressed determination to address the issues raised in the auditor’s report, stating that the board has no intention of stepping down.

Breiby criticized the management for prioritizing financial considerations over patient safety, claiming that warnings regarding the risks associated with the rollout of Helseplattformen had been ignored. Furthermore, she stressed the importance of learning from these significant issues to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Jusprofessor Anne Kjersti Befring supported Breiby’s call for an evaluation of the healthcare organizational model, arguing that it has never been assessed based on its initial goals set in 2001. She highlighted the mismatch between the intended improvements in patient safety and staffing, and the current challenges facing the healthcare system, noting that numerous reports indicate a high risk in hospital management across financial, safety, and staffing dimensions.