SVT has asked questions about staffing, care and staff holidays to all regions. The survey shows that summer staffing is still not complete everywhere. Planning has been more difficult than usual due to the corona pandemic and several regions state that they have been forced to plan in two different tracks. One for regular care, and one for covid-19 care.

Almost all regions retain covid departments over the summer, and there is great preparedness for rapid change if the situation worsens.

IVA worst hit

In order to solve this equation, the regions have changed scheduling, moved around staff and taken in substitutes, students and hiring staff. 

Most regions state that they can offer roughly the same care as normal summers, but even normal summers mean a shortage of nurses, closed care units and deferred surgeries.

This year the pressure is highest on intensive care. Thirteen regions cite IVA as the hardest hit and say the emergency services have been tough.  

Moves vacation for compensation - or coercion

Several regions have for many years tried to solve the summer staffing by offering compensation to staff who voluntarily move their holidays. 

So also this year. But this year, some regions have in some cases also been forced. These are both split holidays, and holiday weeks that have been moved to the autumn against the wishes of the staff.  

- This year we have had to point with our whole hand. We must make sure that we are there for the most severely ill. I can understand that there are many who are sad and disappointed, but I actually believe that the staff in general have a great understanding of the serious situation we are in, ”says Lotta Olmarken Ingler, Health and Medical Director in the Dalarna Region.  

The Dalarna Region is one of the regions that pays the most for relocated holidays. There, a nurse receives SEK 20,000 more in salary per moved week. Some regions pay nothing. In Jönköping Region, this has led to a crisis of confidence between staff and regional management.