New hospital director appointed in Lofoten

The latest Nordland / Lofoten news from the past 48 hours is dominated by the appointment of Tonje Elisabeth Hansen as head of Nordlandssykehuset, announced on Wednesday 4 November. In Moskenes, the departure of municipal director Kjetil Finstad-Steira has resulted in a severance payment of 12 months’ salary, according to Lofotposten. Air transport, local life and several briefs complete this regional overview. (NRK Nordland / Lofoten, Avisa Nordland, Lofotposten)

Nordland / Lofoten News: New leadership at Nordlandssykehuset

The board of Nordlandssykehuset has appointed Tonje Elisabeth Hansen as the new chief executive officer, following an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday afternoon. The information was published on the hospital’s website and picked up by NRK Nordland / Lofoten. She will take up her position on 1 February next year. She succeeds Siri Tau Ursin, who left the position earlier in the year. (NRK Nordland / Lofoten)

Tonje Elisabeth Hansen is joining from her position as clinical director at Hammerfest Hospital. She has already worked for several years at Nordlandssykehuset as a departmental director. She says she is looking forward to returning to Nordlandssykehuset and contributing to good specialist services for the people of Nordland (NRK Nordland / Lofoten).

This leadership change is part of the Nordland / Lofoten news from the past 48 hours. The new director identifies the economy and staffing as the main challenges facing Nordlandssykehuset, according to NRK. The change at the head of Nordlandssykehuset concerns Nordland county. (NRK Nordland / Lofoten)

In Moskenes, a departure with 12 months’ salary

The departure of Moskenes municipal director Kjetil Finstad-Steira has been known since the beginning of the week. He will leave his position no later than 30 November. He is currently on sick leave. He took charge of this Lofoten municipality in May last year, after holding a senior position in the police. (NRK Nordland / Lofoten)

According to Lofotposten, which gained access to his termination agreement, Kjetil Finstad-Steira will receive 12 months of paid leave and will be free to look for a new job. His annual salary is approximately NOK 1.2 million. He will keep his phone and computer, and his legal costs related to negotiating the agreement will be covered. (NRK Nordland / Lofoten, citing Lofotposten)

This administrative case concerns the municipality of Moskenes in the Lofoten islands. The terms of the agreement were revealed by Lofotposten. The municipal director position is central to the organisation of this municipality in Nordland county. (NRK Nordland / Lofoten, Lofotposten)

Local life, sport and calls for nominations

NRK Nordland and Avisa Nordland have launched a public call to nominate the ’Årets Nordlending, Nordland’s personality of the year. The award honours a person who has accomplished something extraordinary over the past year. The public is invited to nominate candidates, from outstanding achievements to everyday acts. «A lot of exciting things are happening in our county, in sport, culture, the economy and volunteering», says Vibeke Madsen of NRK Nordland, according to NRK. A jury has been appointed, including Cathrine Skogheim, acting editor-in-chief of Avisa Nordland. (NRK Nordland / Lofoten)

In sport, Avisa Nordland reports that a new leader has been hired at Glimt, with the quote «En smart satsing». Meanwhile, NRK reports that two Glimt players are in the national squad, while two others have been left out. National coach Ståle Solbakken criticises the match schedule, according to NRK. (Avisa Nordland, NRK Nordland / Lofoten)

On the local economic front, Avisa Nordland reports that a heating system that cost 6.6 million kroner does not work, resulting in additional costs. The information concerns an equipment expense in the region covered by the newspaper. (Avisa Nordland)

📌 Local briefs

A Widerøe aircraft from Trondheim to Mo i Rana was unable to deploy its landing gear on Wednesday evening. The plane was diverted to Bodø. Avinor reported that rescue services were ready, and the landing gear was eventually able to be extended. The aircraft landed safely in Bodø at 19:15. (NRK Nordland / Lofoten)

The police received information on Wednesday about a threat against Bodø upper secondary school. They assessed the risk as low, and a patrol will be present on Thursday. An investigation has been opened. (NRK Nordland / Lofoten)

In Sakrisøy, a project aimed at bringing a building from the 1930s back to life is running into opposition from the municipality, according to Lofotposten. In Lofoten, Lofotposten also relays a push to ban electric scooters, with the quote «Har utløst en tragisk epidemi». (Lofotposten)

NRK also reports that a bed at a district psychiatric centre in Bodø, described as an essential resource for a resident, could disappear. (NRK Nordland / Lofoten)

Sources: NRK Nordland / Lofoten, Avisa Nordland, Lofotposten, The Local Norway — Period: 04 November 2026 and 05 November 2026