Long waiting time for breast reconstruction in Norwegian hospitals

Medicine and health: Women who need a breast reconstruction with their own tissue after breast cancer have to wait 232 weeks at Oslo University Hospital, figures from Helsenorge show.

At Stavanger University Hospital, the waiting time is up to 310 weeks.

– That means more than five years to wait. It is an incredible strain and completely crazy, says health policy spokesperson Bård Hoksrud in the Fremskrittspartiet to P4.

Aleris, which is a private healthcare company, tells the radio channel that they can deliver within one to three weeks. There is also a shorter waiting time at some public hospitals. At Sykehuset Innlandet, Hamar and UNN Narvik Hospital, the waiting time is 36 weeks.

There is also a long waiting time for several other women’s diseases. In order to have surgery for damage to the vagina or rectum after birth, it can take up to 46 weeks. To remove the uterus in connection with endometriosis, it can take a total of 68 weeks before admission at Haukeland University Hospital, or 62 weeks at Oslo University Hospital.

Earlier this week, Health Minister Jan Christian Vestre (Ap) told P4 that waiting times should decrease.

– We have a relatively good overview of the challenges and what could be good measures, said Vestre.

(© NTB)