According to Emma Stjernlöf (M), chair of the Healthcare Committee, the region currently has 15 hired nurses out of a total of 1,500. In 2019 (January-September), the Blekinge region paid SEK 11 million for its hired nurses.

- We have had problems in some departments this year, including rehab. Then we have to hire in because the most important thing for us is the patient safety, she says.

Looks bright to 2020

Although nurses from staffing companies can facilitate the region at times, permanent staff are preferred for a full-scale image.

- We want to be an attractive employer, but it is a bit bigger challenge for Blekinge to hire staff. We are a small county, so we have to be competitive, ”says Emma Stjernlöf.

But the Health Board in the Blekinge region looks bright on 2020.

- We are expecting some 60 nurses from BTH. It is wonderfully gratifying and of course helps a lot, to reduce the hiring staff, she says with a smile.

Emma Stjernlöf (M), chair of the Healthcare Committee, comments on the costs of the hired healthcare staff in the Blekinge region. Photo: Cajsa Bengtsson / SVT