Investigation after the death of a three-year-old. How to seek medical help in Norway

TV 2 reported the findings of Statsforvalteren, the authority that supervises, among other things, healthcare in the region, on 28 October 2026. The family called for help several times. The mother reported that the child had been ill for two days. The symptoms included vomiting.

The investigation showed that, due to the symptoms and serious communication difficulties with the family, the child should have been examined in person. Errors were also found in recording information from telephone conversations. However, the care later provided by the doctor at the legevakt was assessed as appropriate. The police are also investigating the case.

The choice depends on how urgent the situation is:

• 113 — if you suspect a life-threatening emergency. For example, if a child has serious breathing difficulties, is unconscious or is difficult to wake up. If you are worried that the situation is serious, call even if you are not sure. The dispatcher will assess the call and tell you what to do.
• 116 117 — if help cannot wait and your GP is unavailable. This is the number for the out-of-hours medical service, known as legevakt, which operates around the clock.
• Fastlege — GP. During office hours, this is usually the first point of contact for health problems, unless there is a life-threatening emergency.

More information in Polish: Healthcare in Norway — Helsenorge guide.

If you were advised to monitor the child after a telephone consultation but the child is getting worse, contact the legevakt again. If you suspect a life-threatening emergency, call 113. If the condition worsens while you are already in the waiting room, tell the staff immediately.

Clearly state that you are contacting them again about the same issue, and describe what has changed since the previous conversation.

Provide your location and a phone number where you can be reached. This information is particularly important when calling 113 for emergency help.

Give the child's age, describe the symptoms and how long they have lasted. Say whether the child is breathing normally, responding as usual, drinking and urinating. Report vomiting, pain, any medication taken, and what concerns you most.

If you do not understand the advice, ask for it to be repeated in simpler words. Ask what changes should prompt you to call again and when the child should be examined.

If your Norwegian is not sufficient to describe symptoms or understand the doctor, state that you need an interpreter. This also applies to people who manage in Norwegian in everyday situations.

The healthcare service is responsible for arranging a qualified interpreter. Interpreter assistance during an appointment with a doctor or at the legevakt is free of charge. The interpreter can take part in the conversation by phone or video.

A healthcare provider should not replace a qualified interpreter with help from a family member. Children cannot act as interpreters.

Details in Polish: The right to an interpreter in healthcare.

You can say: “Jeg trenger polsk tolk”, meaning “I need a Polish interpreter”.

In an emergency, do not delay calling 113 while looking for someone to interpret. First make contact, give the location of the incident and report the language difficulties.

If you believe the care was inappropriate or you were denied a necessary interpreter, you can report the matter to the healthcare provider. If you suspect errors in the care, you can also ask Statsforvalteren to investigate it.

You can also get free advice from the Pasient- og brukerombudet, the patient ombudsman. They can help you determine whom to contact and how to prepare a complaint. Find the ombudsman's contact details here.