It was at the end of May that the Västra Götaland region decided to pay an extra SEK 500 per working pass as compensation for the hard work of the healthcare staff during the corona pandemic.

But that the remuneration was limited in time up to and including June 30 and is now no longer being paid is something that the Swedish Medical Association questions.

- It is very strange. Political decisions do not stop covid care, but they continue even after July 1, says Martin Håland.

Continued high workload in healthcare

And although the number of people needing intensive care against covid-19 has recently decreased, Martin Håland believes that the workload of staff remains high.

- The staff is still forced to put on full protective equipment. This makes it more difficult to rest and take breaks, he says.

The health care association has also been critical of the fact that the extra compensation is paid only to the care staff who worked in the intensive care unit and not to the ambulance staff and other nursing staff who have suffered badly.

- This is a very unusual situation. Our agreements do not cover this and then it is reasonable to receive extra compensation and that the existing remuneration continues to be paid out, says Martin Håland.

"Extraordinary action"

Håkan Linnarsson (S), opposition regional council and spokesperson on health issues in the Västra Götaland region, believes that the fixed-term remuneration was an "extraordinary measure" from the regional management's point of view.

- It is extremely unusual for politicians to go in and pay for salaries, but now we were in an exceptional situation and chose to do so anyway. The fact that the remuneration was limited to three months was an economic issue, but also a matter of justice. It would be impossible for us to pay extra compensation to all healthcare professionals, he says.