Lack of hired nurses: "Tighter pressure than ever"

Seven of the country's 21 regions need to bring in more healthcare workers from staffing companies to cope with the summer. Another six regions open to take in more hires, but say it is difficult to get staff. This shows a survey that SVT News has sent out.

Anna Rosenberg, CEO of the staffing company Te Crea, says that they have experienced the greatest demand for healthcare staff since the company was started.

- There is more pressure this summer than ever before. We do everything that is in our power and devote all resources. We have plenty of staff, but we do not have enough to meet the demand that exists right now, ”she tells SVT.

The use of hired staff to an excessive extent has been criticized for several years, including 2016 when a review by SVT showed that the cost of hired staff had doubled in five years. Last year, the cost of hired staff had increased further.

For some years now, the regions have appointed a group that has worked to reduce the dependence on staffing staff, and that work is still ongoing.

The group's chairman, Karin Melander, says she still understands that hiring staff may be needed for the summer.

- I have full respect for the businesses that need to manage this summer. When hiring staff is needed, we should be able to address that, but it should be done to the minimum extent possible. Patient safety must be ensured.

Do you see any problems with hiring more staff?

- Summer needs to be evaluated first. So far we can see a decrease in usage, so we need to wait and see how the results are.

Reducing dependence on hiring staff is a continuing important challenge for the regions, and Karin Melander believes that it is something that we are still striving to change.

- We believe it provides better patient safety, and we know that continuity is important for patients.