The staffing situation at Sunderby Hospital has been tense for a long time.
According to Anna Pohjanen, head of the County Health Care division, the pandemic has led to a large sickness absence among the staff at the surgical departments and there are also several who are now on parental leave.
At the same time, several employees have chosen to resign, partly due to the tough work situation.
- It's a huge concern.
We had to sharply reduce the number of care places this weekend, says Anna Pohjanen.
High pressure in the emergency room
The withdrawn care places have meant that the pressure on the emergency room has instead increased.
- At some point, up to ten patients were waiting for a care place at the surgeon.
They had to wait in the emergency room instead.
The region has difficulty finding new staff.
- We do not get a pacifier on our ads about temps and permanent employees, nor answers to our calls from hired nurses.
Cannot continue this way
What consequences can this have in the long run if it continues?
- It can not continue in this way.
The consequences can be that we can not provide care in a good way, and when we have patients waiting so long in the emergency room, we are almost there.
We must strive to get more employees, it is not money that is lacking, it is people, says Anna Pohjanen.