New schedule solves daily rest for ambulance staff in Dalarna

6/1/2023, 5:01:43 PM

Highlights: The EU no longer wants to grant an exemption for that activity. The new schedule will take effect on 1 October this year. It has been done in broad collaboration with the staff, which seems to have been a success factor, says a union representative for ambulance staff in Dalarna. The downside has been that they have had to work for quite a few days in a row – something that can be tiring in the long run, says the union representative. It is hoped that this will lead to a reduction in the number of days a week that they work.

Ambulance staff will have a completely new work schedule this autumn following an EU directive to introduce eleven hours of daily rest. While staff in other counties have resigned in protest, things seem to have gone easier in Dalarna.

The so-called 24-hour professions have long had an exemption from the EU requirement of eleven hours of daily rest, something that was introduced in most other industries many years ago. But when it comes to healthcare, the fire brigade and the ambulance, things have been slower.

Can be tiring

Much is due to the fact that their schedules often provide the opportunity for longer continuous leave, which the staff often appreciated.

The downside has been that they have had to work for quite a few days in a row – something that can be tiring in the long run.

Collaboration a success factor

The EU therefore no longer wants to grant an exemption for that activity and therefore, among others, the ambulance management in Dalarna has been forced to solve the problem.

This has been done in broad collaboration with the ambulance staff, which seems to have been a success factor.

"Everyone has had their say and expressed their views, and the employer has been very responsive," says Maria Sohlin, union representative for ambulance staff at the Swedish Association of Health Professionals.

On 1 October this year, the new schedule will take effect.