The conversations and work to get Region Värmland's economy to balance have been going on for a while. When the transformation process began, the goal was to save the equivalent of 500 million kronor on personnel costs, and that goal has not been achieved.
Besides a so-called natural turnover, where people change jobs, retire, or for other reasons choose to terminate their employment, the region has also worked on relocating personnel and filling vacant positions with existing staff.
The extra 180 million kronor, which were intended to reduce the number of layoffs, from the government has also alleviated but not fully reached to achieve a balanced economy.
On Tuesday, the regional director described that it is now one step closer to actual layoffs becoming a reality.
We are closer to layoffs now than we have been, says Peter Bäckstrand at a press conference on Tuesday, which was broadcast on NWT's website.
The entire sector is making a large deficit in 2024, and the single largest reason is inflation, according to the regional director.
We are starting to see the effects of the efforts made by the operations. We see economic effects on the curve flattening out. But we are not at the goal, he says and adds that it is tough work ahead for healthcare in Värmland.
Union negotiations are ongoing, and by the end of October, affected personnel are expected to receive information about potential layoffs.