Ambulance staff did not want to work overtime - refused to drive patient

A multi-sick person with acute stomach problems would be transported by ambulance to Kalix hospital from a health center.

As no ambulance was available, it took almost two hours for an ambulance to arrive at the health center. Once on site, the ambulance staff ended up in a discussion with the doctor who decided on the patient's transfer to Kalix hospital.

The ambulance staff said that the patient did not meet the criteria for an ambulance transport and that they wanted a report from a doctor, who was busy with another patient, before starting the transport.

To SOS Alarm, the ambulance staff stated that their relieving colleagues may do the transport because they do not want to work overtime.

It was only after four hours that the transport took place, when the new ambulance staff started their shift.

The incident is reported to the Inspection for Healthcare and Care, IVO.