The case has been followed by many people living with endometriosis.
– I am so incredibly relieved. This has been a great stress and burden, says Raasholm Larby in one press release.
She finds it good to have confirmation through the judgment that the three treatment centers – two GP offices and a hospital – did not provide her with health care in line with good medical practice.
– No patient should have to go through what I have experienced, and I hope the state will accept the verdict so that more patients can feel confident that their legal security is safeguarded, she says.
It is not known whether the state will appeal the verdict. Lawyer Bianca Reichelt, who led the case before the Patient Injury Board, refers to the communications department in the National Complaints Body for the Health Service. NTB has not been able to get a comment from them.
Waited for years
Already at the age of 13, Raasholm Larby went to the doctor to get help with severe menstrual pains and several other related ailments. Only 14 years later – after countless visits to first one and then another GP – was she referred to a gynaecologist.
The investigation resulted in her being sent to Innlandet hospital for surgery. But the hospital did not speak to her before the operation and therefore did not get a good enough understanding of the ailments. They did not investigate the extent of the endometriosis well enough and did not provide her with adequate follow-up, according to the judgement.
It was only after she attended a lecture on endometriosis that Raasholm Larby came forward. The senior doctor who gave the lecture advised her to seek health care at Vestfold hospital. There she was diagnosed with deep, infiltrating endometriosis which had affected a number of organs. Today she struggles with pain after nerve damage and other chronic ailments.
Seek compensation, but lost
Raasholm Larby, who is today the general manager of the Endometriosis Association, applied for patient compensation, but lost and was also not successful when she complained about the decision. She therefore took legal action against the state for delayed and inadequate diagnosis and treatment.
On behalf of the state, lawyer Reichelt argued that the treatment was in accordance with good medical practice and current guidelines.
An earlier diagnosis probably would not have stopped the endometriosis from developing, argued Reichelt.
Now the Østre Innlandet district court has given her full support. The court has come to the conclusion that there was a failure in the healthcare provision both by the GPs and at the Innlandet Hospital, and that this failure has caused her damage beyond the basic illness.
Raasholm Larby is therefore entitled to compensation from the Patient Injury Board, the judgment states. The state is also ordered to cover the legal costs.
– Unacceptable to have to go to court
This is a victory for women’s health, writes the Endometriosis Association, which is very happy about the verdict. At the same time, the case sheds light on a serious problem in women’s legal security within the healthcare system, believes chairman Marte Øien. It should not be necessary to go to court to be successful in such clear patient cases, she believes.
– It is unacceptable that patients like Elisabeth have to fight the system for years to get their illness recognized and get the necessary help, says Øien.
The recently established national expertise service for endometriosis is an important step, but far from sufficient, she believes, and makes a direct appeal to the Minister of Health and Care, Jan Christian Vestre:
– He must ensure that the legal security of female patients is strengthened so that no more have to suffer the same fate as Elisabeth, she says.
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**Interview with Raasholm Larby, General Manager of the Endometriosis Association**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Raasholm. To start, could you share your feelings on the recent court ruling regarding your case?
**Raasholm Larby**: Thank you for having me. I am incredibly relieved. This ruling has lifted a significant burden and stress off my shoulders. there’s official confirmation that the treatment I received from the three healthcare facilities did not meet acceptable medical standards.
**Editor**: That’s understandable. Can you elaborate on what exactly the court found to be inadequate in your treatment?
**Raasholm Larby**: Certainly. The ruling highlighted that the general practices and the hospital failed to provide the necessary level of care and follow-up. I initially sought help for my severe menstrual pains at just 13 years old but was only referred to a gynecologist after 14 long years of countless visits to various doctors. Moreover, when I finally underwent surgery, the hospital didn’t adequately communicate with me or investigate the extent of my endometriosis, which led to my chronic pain today.
**Editor**: It sounds like a long and challenging journey. You mentioned seeking healthcare at Vestfold hospital based on advice from a lecture. How important was that moment for you?
**Raasholm Larby**: That moment was pivotal. Attending that lecture opened my eyes to the reality of my condition. The senior doctor’s advice to see specialists at Vestfold hospital ultimately led to the diagnosis of deep, infiltrating endometriosis affecting multiple organs. It was a crucial turning point in my medical journey, but unfortunately, I continue to deal with pain and complications from nerve damage.
**Editor**: Following your experiences, you pursued patient compensation but were unsuccessful. How does this ruling impact your view on the need for better patient support and legal safeguards in healthcare?
**Raasholm Larby**: I truly believe that no patient should endure what I went through. The court’s verdict reinforces the need for systemic changes. I hope the state accepts the ruling so that patients can feel more assured of their legal rights within the healthcare system. We need more transparency and accountability, especially for conditions like endometriosis where diagnosis and treatment can be not only overlooked but mismanaged.
**Editor**: Thank you for sharing your story and insights with us, Raasholm. It’s crucial to raise awareness about endometriosis and ensure that other patients do not face the same challenges.
**Raasholm Larby**: Thank you for shedding light on this important issue. It’s vital that we continue to advocate for better healthcare for all patients.
