What is competence to give consent?
If a person is clearly unable to safeguard their interests and to understand what consent entails, they may lack competence to give consent. This may be due to physical or mental disorders, dementia or intellectual disabilities, and the condition must be permanent.
For more information about competence to give consent, visit the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (in norwegian).
Next of kin
Only next of kin can obtain a power of attorney to use services at Helsenorge on behalf of persons who lack competence to give consent.
Next of kin are persons who to the greatest extent have lasting and continuous contact with the person who lacks competence to give consent. One person may have multiple relatives, but they do not all have the same rights even if they contribute in different ways.
Please note that the next of kin's right to information and participation still requires the presence of the person in question.
How to obtain a power of attorney
The person with a permanent lack of competence to give consent must be over 12 years of age, and the next of kin must be over 18 years of age in order for a power of attorney to be granted.
Form for obtaining a power of attorney
The following form must be submitted to obtain a power of attorney on behalf of a person with a permanent lack of competence to give consent:
- Form for power of attorney to Helsenorge on behalf of persons who lack
competence to give consent (PDF) (in norwegian) - Medical certificate of lack of competence to give consent (PDF) (in norwegian), from the doctor treating the person. It is important to use this specific form. Other medical certificates may NOT be used.
Confirmation of guardianship is no longer sufficient documentation. - Copy of valid identification for the person(s) who are to be granted the power of attorney.
Do not send a copy of a bank card.
Terminating the power of attorney
If you as next of kin wish to terminate the power of attorney, you can revoke it yourself by logging in to Helsenorge.
If you are unable to log in, you can complete and submit a Form to withdraw power of attorney to Helsenorge on behalf of persons with lack of competence to give consent (PDF) (in norwegian).
Renew the power of attorney
From December 4, 2024, when you create a power of attorney, it will be valid indefinitely. If you have already created a power of attorney with a duration of five years, you will need to renew the power of attorney when it expires. You can renew the power of attorney by submitting a new medical certificate from the doctor. The new power of attorney will be valid indefinitely.
The medical certificate form has recently been updated with information about the duration of the power of attorney. If you want the power of attorney to be valid indefinitely, it is important that you submit the updated form. If you submit the form that does not have the updated information about the duration of the power of attorney, the power of attorney will be valid for five years.
Lasting power of attorney
You can use a lasting power of attorney to access Helsenorge on behalf of the person to whom the power of attorney applies. To be valid for Helsenorge, the power of attorney must cover the areas “personal matters” and/or “health”. The lasting power of attorney must also be approved (ratified) by the County Governor.
What do you need to submit?
In order to use a ratified lasting power of attorney to access Helsenorge on behalf of others, you need to submit
- a copy of the lasting power of attorney
- a copy of valid proof of identity for those who have received the lasting power of attorney
If you wish to withdraw consent for the use of Helsenorge on behalf of the person for whom you have a lasting power of attorney, you can submit a form to withdraw consent (in norwegian) together with the lasting power of attorney.
The request can be sent to:
Norsk helsenett SF
Postboks 329 Skøyen,
0213 Oslo,
Norway
Services on behalf of children
With a power of attorney on behalf of persons over the age of 12 who lack competence to give consent, you have access to all services that apply to children under the age of 12 except to Change GP. If you want to change GP for the person, you must contact Veiledning Helsenorge (Guidance Helsenorge).
Information about using Helsenorge on behalf of children is available under each service.