A neurosurgeon was convicted of gross drunk driving in Linköping and then made a mistake during an operation, leaving the patient paralyzed. Ivo did not find out until over a year after the verdict, when an anonymous private individual tipped them off. This is reported by Corren in an investigation published today.
A system failure
Corren has reviewed eleven verdicts where licensed healthcare professionals were convicted of substance abuse-related crimes. The verdicts concern eight different doctors and nurses. None of the verdicts were sent to Ivo, despite the regulations requiring it. In three of the cases, Ivo is still unaware of the crimes.
The courts do not, of course, intentionally break the law, but there is an obligation to report that is not always followed, and I think that is serious, says Peter Islander, the head of the Court Administration, to the newspaper.
Regulatory change needed
Now, the Court Administration is calling for a change in the regulations so that the courts can find out if the defendant is listed in the National Board of Health and Welfare's register of healthcare professionals.
The proposed solution is an automated system. Then, a question would be asked to the National Board of Health and Welfare whether the person being convicted is listed in their register. The court would then know if the verdict should be sent to Ivo and the National Board of Health and Welfare. Then, you avoid this problem, says Peter Islander, the head of the Court Administration.
Maria Stensson/TT
Facts: Supervision of healthcare professionals
TT
Ivo conducts supervisory investigations of licensed healthcare professionals. Ivo can decide to report a case to the Health and Medical Care Committee, HSAN.
It is only HSAN that can decide on probation or revocation of a license or other authorization to practice a profession in healthcare.
Source: Ivo and the National Board of Health and Welfare
When licensed healthcare professionals are convicted of crimes, the court must, within a week, send a copy of the verdict to the Inspectorate for Healthcare and the National Board of Health and Welfare. The obligation applies to the situations and crimes specified in the regulation on notification to the Inspectorate for Healthcare and the National Board of Health and Welfare of verdicts in certain criminal cases.
