The women sought care for birth injuries and incontinence. The solution, according to the gynecologist at Skaraborg hospital, was to operate on the uterus and in some cases also the ovaries.
In a review in the spring of 2023, DN was able to reveal how the gynecologist justified several of the procedures with the fact that the women allegedly suffered from a serious connective tissue diagnosis, EDS.
The Inspectorate for Care and Care has in several cases directed strong criticism at the gynecologist's assessments.
Now the authority goes a step further.
In a report to the Health and Healthcare Service's responsibility board, HSAN, Ivo requests that the gynecologist's medical credentials be revoked.
- Ivo has requested a recall because we take seriously the shortcomings that have emerged, says unit manager Therese Breding Rovai.
The investigation includes, among other things, medical records from nine patients. There, Ivo has found a combination of various shortcomings that show "gross incompetence in professional practice".
Among other things, the doctor did not take the women's age into account. Unjustified, he has recommended major surgical procedures. The patients have not been given any options, but believed that they have to have the uterus removed.
According to Ivo, the doctor has allowed his own speculations and unscientific theories about the connective tissue diagnosis EDS to be the basis for important medical decisions.
He has exaggerated the patients' prolapse problems and used medicines in an incorrect and dangerous way.
According to Ivo, the shortcomings have been systematic.
"Against this background, Ivo assesses that the patients have not been able to give informed consent to the care that was offered to them and that the gynecologist, through his professional authority, failed to treat them with the care and respect that can be expected from a doctor," writes Ivo in the report.
The authority also states that the doctor has consistently denied that he has done anything wrong and has been ignorant of the deficiencies in the care he has provided.
"Through his attitude, Ivo judges that he also showed a lack of insight into and understanding of how his medical treatment has affected the patients," writes the authority.
Now it is up to HSAN to decide whether the board should follow Ivo's recommendation and take back the gynecologist's medical credentials.
One of the women who testified in DN about serious misconduct is Malin Estving from Skövde. At the age of 37, both her uterus and ovaries were unnecessarily removed. Her problem was actually due to torn and overstretched pelvic floor muscles.
- Ivo proves everything that we have claimed and tried to get the hospital, authorities and the judiciary to understand all these years. It is a huge relief that the whole picture comes out, and a vindication for us, she says.
The midwife Anna Neander has for several years tried to get Skaraborg hospital and Ivo to understand how she and other women were affected by the gynecologist's theories and unscientific methods. She describes Ivo's claim as a great vindication:
- Ivo has seen the systematics behind the unscientific theories and the tremendous consequences they have had for us. A lack of self-awareness is dangerous when working in healthcare, and I understand that the authority has taken note of that, she says.
A criminal investigation against the gynecologist was recently dropped by the health prosecutor. Now the women, who requested a review of the decision, hope that the Public Prosecutor's Office will take up the case again.
Dagens Nyheter has contacted the gynecologist without receiving any response.
In an email, Jan Nyman at Skaraborg hospital's communication unit writes that they take "very seriously" the shortcomings that have been identified.
"As healthcare providers, we bear the responsibility for the care provided at our hospitals. To the women affected, we want to once again offer our sincere apologies. We understand that this has meant great suffering".
Jan Nyman writes that Skaraborga's hospital does not want to comment further on Ivo's request to revoke the gynecologist's medical credentials.
