The Swedish Healthcare Association and the Swedish Medical Association have for several years called for a crisis commission to address the poor work environment in healthcare, but have been given the cold shoulder.
On Tuesday, the government brought together unions, private healthcare providers, the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR) and relevant authorities for a crisis meeting.
After the meeting, the government announced a crisis commission will be established. It will bring together the parties and identify the most urgent issues to work on, according to Minister of Health Elisabet Lann.
Feeling powerless
It can be about security, safety, working alone, influence over schedules and working hours, but I don't want to rule out those discussions, she says.
Many in healthcare feel that they have limited influence over their work situation and that the decision-making process is long, according to Lann.
You feel powerless; it's destructive and keeps you from moving on.
Problems with technology and digital systems were also raised, such as systems that lag or are not user-friendly. Unnecessary administration was also discussed.
It is also ethical stress, not having time to do the work you want, or being forced to work overtime because there are not enough employees.
High sick leave rates
The meeting follows repeated alarms recently, including the Social Insurance Agency's status report for 2026, which shows that stress-related sick leave remains at historically high levels in healthcare, schools and social care.
The Swedish Work Environment Authority's inspection report from November 2025 also shows shortcomings in work environment efforts at the country's emergency hospitals.
Lann says the government will return with proposals for exactly what the crisis commission should look like.
There is broad consensus about the need to do something.
