Chief physician Helena was threatened with dismissal - now she is this year's whistleblower

For several years, Helena Strevens, researcher and chief physician in gynecology and obstetrics, has tried to influence the management of gynecology at SUS.

She believes that the business is governed in an authoritarian way.

- They have not wanted to listen and absorb the knowledge and skills that are available, says Helena Strevens.

Accused of libel

It is mainly the teams that worked around pregnant women with chronic diseases at the specialist maternity care in Lund that Helena Strevens wanted to protect.

When the teams split, she protested.

- The skills we have built up over many years disappeared.

The staff felt bad and there was pressure.

Many took sick leave or quit.

Finally, she wrote a list and went to the union.

Because the list was to be taken up on union cooperation, which risked making it public, she was accused of libel.

- I was told that it could lead to dismissal or a written warning, says Helena Strevens.

How did it feel?

-

Very unpleasant.

I just cherished the business.

Sick leave at half time

Today, Helena Strevens is on sick leave on a part-time basis after a fatigue diagnosis and no longer works at the same unit.

But she does not regret what happened.

- It would not have been possible for me to keep quiet.

It was not just about me but about my employees.

Do you think the price will make a difference?

- 

It is difficult to silence it when it is noticed.

One must be able to see the shortcomings that exist and do something about them.

"Based on conflict"

Pia Teleman, operations manager for gynecology at SUS responds in a written comment:

“The situation to which it relates is based on a conflict that arose during proposals for changes in the operations of one of our units.

The conflict was thoroughly clarified and led to measures and changed leadership.

I welcome the fact that employees have different views on how the business should be conducted, as well as that they raise their concerns orally or in writing, so that we can get an overall picture of a complicated situation.

When, as in this case, there are several parties in a conflict, it is my task as operations manager to safeguard the mood of both parties, and to point out if the communication in the conflict is not handled in a constructive way ”.