Even this summer, we were met with headlines and stories from healthcare staff about major challenges and staff working during their vacation to cover up. We must be able to guarantee both patient safety and a good working environment even when the workforce is reduced, says Minister of Health Acko Ankarberg Johansson at a press conference on Wednesday.
In order to help the healthcare principals to get a more effective planning of staffing during the sensitive vacation periods, the National Board of Health and Welfare is assigned to review how the planning has been done in previous years and if there are things that can be done differently.
From the Swedish Association of Health Professionals, one welcomes the assignment but points out that it is important that it also leads to action.
From SKR, one does not think it is a planning issue.
”The state misses the target. That there are not enough staff on certain days and at certain workplaces during the summer is not a planning issue. Everyone, including the state, knows that nurses, nursing assistants and doctors are shortage professions. And with the demographic development ahead with very few entering working age, the risk of shortage of important professional groups in healthcare is likely to continue to be a major challenge”, says Johan Kaarme, head of department for care and nursing at SKR in a written comment to TT.
An oral partial report shall be submitted no later than December 15, 2025 and a final report no later than May 31, 2026.
