Finnmark Hospital Violated Healthcare Act, Examination Finds
Finnmark Hospital has broken the Specialist Health Services Act, according to County Doctor Anne Grethe Olsen in Troms and Finnmark. this conclusion comes after the state administrator completed an investigation into concerns raised by doctors at the Banak rescue helicopter base.
The concerns stemmed from instances where doctors were directed to transport critically injured patients to Tromsø or kirkenes, bypassing the closer emergency hospital in Hammerfest. These reports surfaced earlier this summer,with doctors arguing that patient needs were being overlooked in favor of hospital capacity – specifically,a lack of personnel or available beds.
The state administrator now believes that restricting patient intake at the hospital could negatively impact those requiring urgent medical attention. Furthermore, longer transport times place a greater strain on rescue and ambulance services throughout the region.
Hospital Disagrees with Medical Professionals
According to the State Administrator, Finnmark Hospital disputes the claims made by the Banak-based professionals, asserting that limited patient intake is infrequent. However, records provided to the County Doctor reveal the hospital was unable to accept patients for a total of twelve days between September 2024 and mid-August of this year.
Five of those twelve days impacted the intensive care unit, while the children’s ward experienced three days with limited capacity. County doctor Olsen also points out that the hospital lacks a thorough record of patients they were unable to treat.
– The lack of documentation on this shows that the health authority has no control over the measure.
Eirik Palm, Communications Manager at Finnmark Hospital, declined an interview with NRK. He provided a written statement…
Cuts at Hammerfest Hospital Lead to Staff Concerns and Increased Deviations
[Image of Hanne Iversen,senior anesthetist at Hammerfest hospital,air ambulance doctor and local medical leader at the 330 squadron at Banak. Photo: Bethel Britto / NRK]
Medical manager for the medical service at the rescue helicopter base at Banak,Hanne rikstad Iversen. Photo: Bethel Britto / NRK
Finnmark Hospital is implementing cost-cutting measures totaling NOK 300 million, leading to staff reductions and concerns about patient safety at Hammerfest Hospital.
Specifically, the intensive care unit has experienced a reduction of 5.1 full-time equivalent positions. This has prompted several employees to voice concerns about an unsustainable workload and potential impact on care quality. These concerns are underscored by a recent increase in reported serious deviations at the hospital’s maternity ward. According to reporting from NRK, 28 serious deviations were registered in just two months at the Hammerfest Hospital maternity ward. http://rk.no/tromsogfinnmark/28-alvorlige-avvik-ble-registrert-pa-to-maneder-ved-fodeavdelingen-ved-hammerfest-sykehus-1.17693275
Despite these concerns, hospital management has reportedly dismissed the criticisms.
Employee sickness absence is currently at 9.9 percent for the year, exceeding the health authority’s target of 7.5 percent. This elevated rate may indicate increased stress and strain on remaining staff.
Despite the criticism and reported issues, hospital management maintains that the financial measures will result in a balanced budget for 2025.
Published December 24, 2025, at 07:06.
date:2025-12-24 06:06:00
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