"We have a strong foundation to stand on, but it requires several measures and planning to handle transports in the event of an armed attack or a large-scale evacuation during a NATO operation", says Director-General Björn Eriksson in a press release.
The survey, conducted by the National Board of Health and Welfare together with the e-Health Agency, shows that routines and structures for patient transports exist and are practiced. However, some parts are missing.
One measure to strengthen patient transports could be the possibility of converting civilian vehicles.
"It could involve modifying regional buses to transport the injured or building trains into mobile healthcare units to transport patients over longer distances", says Björn Eriksson.
The authorities also point out that national coordination for patient transports during crises and war needs to be strengthened. Today, for example, "both technical and legal prerequisites" are lacking to share information between different healthcare actors.
The survey was conducted on behalf of the government.
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