Long waiting times for both the first visit and lack of competence in assessing suicide risks are some of the deficiencies that the Inspectorate for Health and Social Care (Ivo) is highlighting after an investigation of complaints and notifications from child and adolescent psychiatry (bup) activities in the country.
Ivo has investigated 104 complaints against healthcare providers within bup, complaints that have come from patients and lex Maria notifications made by the providers themselves. The conclusion is that there are several deficiencies in this form of care. Particularly serious is this when it comes to preventing suicide.
Families are affected
If children and young people do not receive the right help to prevent suicide, it can have a very unhappy outcome. It affects them but also their families, says Daniel Lilja, head of department at Ivo.
For example, untreated depression and anxiety disorders can exacerbate the situation and lead to self-harm and, in the worst case, suicide.
It is of the utmost importance that healthcare acts swiftly, says Daniel Lilja, head of department at Ivo.
More than 40 percent (26 out of 63) of the complaints where Ivo criticizes the healthcare provider concern inadequate treatment. Delayed or omitted treatment has led to serious consequences such as high absenteeism with social isolation and increased anxiety as a result.
In the most serious cases, omitted or delayed care has led to suicide attempts, says Daniel Lilja.
Money is not everything
The government has announced that it will, among other things, invest one billion kronor in increased accessibility within bup and other initiatives to prevent suicide. Daniel Lilja believes that a broad range of measures are needed to improve the situation.
More money is good, but it won't suddenly produce more child psychiatrists, for example. But there are other possibilities, such as investments in other levels of care, like school health and primary care, that can be there and catch the vulnerable individuals, he says.
Ivo has analyzed patient complaints directed at bup and lex Maria notifications from healthcare providers within bup during the period 2022-2024.
Among the deficiencies identified by both Ivo and healthcare providers are inadequate competence in suicide prevention, inadequate documentation of assessments, and lack of or non-adherence to routines.
Source: Inspectorate for Health and Social Care
