Gävleborg has low access to care.

It shows a compilation of Assignment review which has ranked the regions in Sweden according to waiting times in health care between 2016 and 2020. There are particularly long waiting times for the specialized care in Gävleborg.

In 2017, Benny Hedlund from Stugsund was planned to do a necessary laser treatment on his eyes.

According to the doctor, the treatment needed to be completed within six weeks, but took 26 weeks.

The wait led to permanent and serious injuries to Benny's eyes.

- Today I only see contours.

Bright light is very difficult, it's like looking into a welding flame.

In the dark, I see nothing, says Benny Hedlund. 

Lex Maria was reported

Benny's doctor Lex Maria reported the incident and in a decision from 2019, the Swedish Health and Care Inspectorate, Ivo, states that the long waiting times for eye care in Gävleborg cause a great risk of patient injuries.

The report states that there are 13,020 patients in Gävleborg who on 31 March 2019 have waited too long for care.

In an inspection from 2020, Ivo also states that eye care in Gävleborg does not do enough to prevent injuries.

- It is clear that you get angry that my injuries could have been prevented.

They are thinking about why the care guarantee does not work, says Benny Hedlund.

Received SEK 240,000 in compensation

In 2020, Benny received compensation from the patient insurance for his injuries.

- The first thing I got was SEK 49,800 for burning and pain and then SEK 189,000 for the visual impairment.

The money does not help me, but it is still a receipt that someone has done something wrong, says Benny Hedlund.

We have sought eye care in Gävleborg - still without success.