The shortage of health workers and beds is a concern for the government. The National Board of Health and Welfare is now to propose how the shortage of health workers can be addressed.

The government also wants to set up an accident commission to investigate suicide.

Minister of Health Akko Ankarberg Johansson (Christian Democratic Party) and Minister of Social Affairs Jacob Forssmed (Christian Democratic Party) Archive image.
Minister of Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson (Christian Democratic Party) and Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed(Christian Democratic Party). Archive image.

The situation in the Swedish emergency hospitals is serious and patients are at risk of getting hurt. In the last review of the Inspection for Health and Welfare (IVO), all 27 hospitals audited receive criticism for lack of staff and care places.

According to Minister of Health Akko Ankarberg Johansson (Christian Democratic Party), the situation is worrying.

Now the government has developed a national plan for the provision of skills in healthcare.

"The shortcomings we see are that we do not have enough staff, and staff with the right skills for the patients to care for", says Akko Ankarberg Johansson.

Unclear when change takes place

The general issue is the shortage of nurses, specialist nurses, midwives and general and district doctors, according to the Minister for Health.

The National Board of Health and Welfare and the National Council for Health Care will return with concrete proposals for improvements and will report back every six months.

When the situation can improve for the patients, Ankarberg Johansson gives no information about.

"For the benefit of all patients, but also the health care professional, we need to see a change soon.

Not point finger

The government also appoints a special investigator to propose an accident commission to investigate suicide. An investigation should be carried out every time a person kills himself, in order, among other things, to social services, schools, police and medical care to see what has been broken.

"Not to point fingers but to learn and become better and to be able to prevent better in the future", says Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed (Christian Democratic Party) at a press conference.

Support for relatives should also be improved.

Every year, approximately 1,200 people kill themselves in Sweden. However, regulatory changes in recent years have led to fewer cases of suicide reported and followed up, according to the government.