Norwegian State’s Health Inspectorate to Investigate Frosta Municipality over Former Chief Physician’s Rape Charges

FROSTA (VG) The Norwegian State’s Health Inspectorate is to investigate Frosta municipality as a result of the case in which a former municipal chief physician has now been charged with 34 rapes.

This is revealed in a letter Frosta municipality received this week from the National Health Inspectorate.

– That someone must examine this and see us in the cards has been quite obvious to me for a long time, says municipal director Endre Skjervø to VG.

At the same time, the municipal director believes that someone other than the Norwegian Health Authority should carry out the investigation.

– I think it is a bit special that the Norwegian Health Authority, which I believe is a party to the case, should investigate us. I believe that the seriousness and extent of the case indicate that someone else should do the investigation, says Skjervø.

The Norwegian Health Inspectorate informs VG that the investigation of the municipality will become part of the inspection case they have already opened against the former municipal doctor.

– An assessment of the municipality is included as part of this inspection case, says Director of the State Health Inspectorate Anne Myhr to VG.

It was in August last year that the police started an investigation into the former municipal chief medical officer after being notified by the National Health Inspectorate. Yesterday it became known that the doctor has been charged with 34 rapes.

A total of 89 people have the status of offended in the case.

Already in 2006, the first notifications against the doctor came in, and in 2007 the doctor received a warning from the Norwegian Health Authority.

Nevertheless, the municipal superintendent remained in office, and worked in the municipality for over 20 years. In July 2022, the doctor’s authorization was suspended.

Correction: In an earlier version, it stated that supervision is opened by Frosta municipality. After publication, the Norwegian Health Authority informs VG that a new supervisory case will not be opened, but that the investigation will form part of an already ongoing supervisory case. The correction was made on 24/05/23 at 12.17.