Patients take their lives while waiting for care

Last year, 32 people took their own lives while waiting for proper care. This shows SVT News' investigation into Ivo's investigations in 2023.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 02 2024

Patients take their lives while waiting for care
Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT

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Last year, 32 people took their own lives while waiting for proper care.

It shows SVT Nyheter's investigation of Ivos investigations in 2023.

SVT Nyheter has gone through 186 Lex Maria reports about dead or injured patients within psychiatry that were sent to the Swedish Board of Health and Welfare (Ivo) last year.

Of the 186 reports, 109 were about suicide, and in 32 cases, it was found that care did not arrive on time due to either a lack of doctors, nurses, or care facilities.

Region Värmland has been scrutinized in particular. There, 12 patients have been seriously injured or died in connection with doctor shortages within the psychiatric outpatient care over the past three years, according to Ivo. The region states that "there is an unacceptable waiting time for doctors, which poses a risk to patient safety. As a result, care injuries, even serious ones, have occurred."

A Lex Maria is the report that healthcare providers must submit to the Swedish Board of Health and Welfare, Ivo, in the event of serious care injuries.

In emergency situations or when thinking about suicide, always call 112.

You can turn to these organizations if you're feeling unwell:

Mind.se.

Suicide Zero. suicidezero.se.

Spes. Riksförbundet för suicidprevention och efterlevandestöd. spes.se.

BRIS, Barnens rätt i samhället. bris.se.

Rädda Barnen. raddabarnen.se. Also for parents.

Anonyma Alkoholister. aa.se.

Jourhavande kompis. jourhavandekompis.se. Takes calls from children and young people up to 25 years old.

Jourhavande medmänniska, can be reached at night at 08–702 16 80.

Friends. friends.se.

1177. Health advice and information about the nearest psychiatric emergency department.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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