During the winter, IVO carried out an extensive inspection of several nursing homes in the country's municipalities from a covid-19 perspective.

In Gävle municipality, the nursing home Vallongården receives extensive criticism.

IVO writes that many different substitutes worked at the accommodation and that it deteriorated care.

Among other things, it appears that staff worked in several different departments and this led to infection spreading between departments that were on the same floor. 

- We have a huge responsibility for this to work and for staff to have the conditions and guidelines, and my general assessment is that this is how we have had it.

But now we have to see what has broken right here, says Magnus Höijer.

Lack of competence

According to Ivo, the competence has not been sufficient to be able to provide good care to the patients who have had suspected or diagnosed covid-19 infection.

Among other things, it must have broken down in basic hygiene and in the use of protective equipment.

Nursing staff must also have given medication in the form of injections without first having contact with a nurse.

In addition, shortcomings have been discovered in the home's health and medical records.

- I take this incredibly seriously.

It should work and we have those expectations;

that the business should function better than what appears from this supervision, says Magnus Höijer, sector manager Welfare Gävle.

More accommodation from criticism

In addition to Vallongården's senior housing, the special housing Stigslund and Ängsbacken 2 in Sandviken have also been examined.

At Stigslund, IVO has not seen any shortcomings, but at Ängsbacken.

Even there, patients must have had to wait for up to three days for a doctor after suspected corona infection.

- We are a relatively large municipality with many customers and many homes.

What made the difference between different homes, I think is very complex to answer so I do not want to draw any quick conclusions, says Magnus Höijer.

By 15 March, the municipalities must have submitted their response to IVO.