Ahus restraint practices highlighted

The latest Akershus news from the past 48 hours puts mental health in the spotlight: the Storting’s oversight body has published its findings on the use of restraint belts in two psychiatric units at Akershus University Hospital (Ahus) in Lørenskog. A yellow weather warning has also been issued ahead of Storm Boelo’s arrival in southern Norway, while Budstikka and Romerikes Blad report developments in businesses, retail and roads across the county.

Akershus news: Ahus restraint practices highlighted by Sivilombud

Sivilombud, the Norwegian Parliament’s independent oversight body, has made public its conclusions on the use of restraint belts in two psychiatric inpatient units at Akershus University Hospital (Ahus) in Lørenskog (NRK Akershus). The investigation was conducted in May. According to the report, the findings “reveal several serious shortcomings.”

The report documents several cases of restraint lasting longer than permitted by law. One patient remained restrained for nearly 12 days. Another was kept in a restraint belt for 42 hours with a broken hand following an episode: an X-ray was taken and painkillers administered, but the hand was not cast until the straps were removed. The report also states that patients were not necessarily released once they had calmed down, and that sleeping patients were generally kept restrained.

“During our visits to hospitals, we have repeatedly found that calm patients remain lying down, strapped into restraint belts,” says Sivilombud representative Hanne Harlem (NRK Akershus). The review covers two psychiatric inpatient units in Akershus County in Lørenskog, and both the report and the facility’s response are available to read.

Yellow warning: Storm Boelo expected Saturday evening

NRK Akershus reports that a yellow warning (gult farevarsel) has been issued for a large part of southern Norway. A powerful storm named Boelo will form over Britain on Saturday before reaching the south of the country on Saturday evening. Several safety warnings have been issued.

Akershus County is part of the southern half of the country covered by the warnings. The public broadcaster’s report does not detail the expected local wind or rainfall thresholds; it says the storm will form over the British Isles on Saturday, 24 October, before reaching Norway in the evening.

Employment, retail and roads: developments across the county

Akershus news is not limited to health issues. In Bærum, Budstikka reports that several employees have left their positions at a major housing provider, although the regional newspaper did not specify the number of departures in its headline published overnight from 23 to 24 October. The same newspaper describes a “retail explosion” at a shopping centre, where two chains are changing direction.

On the roads, Romerikes Blad describes “complete confusion” over closed roads, with one motorist saying they had seen no signs announcing the closure. The Romerike newspaper also reports that many questions are being asked following the major fires, with several people saying they are concerned.

📌 Local briefs

Five cats were found dead and dismembered in Bærum and western Oslo; the animals were sent for autopsy, and police say all hypotheses remain open, with no suspect identified (NRK Akershus). In early October, half a cat was discovered in a garden in Stabekk, and police then said a human might have been responsible for the injuries.

A complaint was filed following a traffic accident, according to Romerikes Blad (24 October, 01:00).

A signalling failure closed the line between Oslo S and Nationaltheatret for much of Friday evening; service resumed, but reduced speed limits remained in place between Skøyen and Lysaker, on the Akershus County boundary, and taxi queues formed around Jernbanetorget (NRK Akershus).

Sources: NRK Akershus, Romerikes Blad, Budstikka — Period: 23 October 2026 and 24 October 2026