Three years ago, Region Västerbotten had no costs for midwives.

In 2021, the costs skyrocketed to 7.5 million.

This shows figures produced by the newspaper Folkbladet.

Several midwives have quit

Lycksele BB accounted for the largest part.

The reason is that several midwives have quit after work environment problems.

After that, childbirth has been dependent on surrogate midwives.

- Lycksele BB is very dependent on surrogate midwives, says Olov Grankvist, director of operations for obstetrics and gynecology in Region Västerbotten.

There are now only two regular midwives in Lycksele.

Eleven midwives are missing and the region solves this either through rotation from the other two maternity units, hourly substitutes or rental midwives.

The final bill could be 12 million

The costs of surrogate midwives have continued to skyrocket in 2022. So far, it has cost the region SEK 6.6 million.

The operations manager believes that the final bill for the year will be a doubling compared to previous years.

- I think the cost for the year will land at 12 million, says Olov Grankvist, director of operations for obstetrics and gynecology in Region Västerbotten.

Can't compete with staffing agencies

At the time of writing, there are four different staffing companies that are advertising for midwives.

Olov Grankvist says that the Västerbotten region cannot compete with staffing companies that, among other things, offer better wages. 

- The only thing we can compete with is that you always know when you have to work and that you don't have to be away anywhere in Sweden, says Olov Grankvist.

Operations manager: "Not satisfied"

Region Västerbotten has developed proposals on how to work to become a more attractive employer.

According to Olov Grankvist, it is important to listen to what the midwives themselves think.

Is it a failure?

- Yes, it is clear that we should not be satisfied that we cannot staff.

We have not succeeded worse than anyone else, but we have not succeeded better, says Olov Grankvist.

Hear what Olov Grankvist is missing from regional politicians in the clip.