Due to staff shortages, the number of care places at Norrland University Hospital has been reduced.
At the same time, there are many people who need care.
This is noticeable in the children's departments.
- There are a lot of children who are sick with infectious diseases now.
Right now we are staffed for 12 patients, but there are 16 patients who are inside, says Hanna Sundquist, pediatric specialist nurse, and continues:
- Only the absolutely sick can be admitted.
"Don't take addicts here"
As there is a large staff shortage in the adult wards, older patients are also cared for in the children's wards.
This has been done since last summer and throughout the autumn.
- We have certain requirements.
We can't bring addicts here, it doesn't work.
It must be patients who can stay together with children, says Anna Wänman, head of department children 2.
Stressful for the staff
When you admit adult patients, it is a challenge for the staff.
- We try as much as possible not to place the adults together with the children.
It is incredibly stressful for the staff because they are not used to adults, says Anna Wänman.
According to the operations manager, there are currently no elderly patients.
But this can change quickly.
The head of department says that they want to help because they are having a tough time in many departments.
But at the same time, you have to look after your own patients.
- We help according to space.
We can say no if it absolutely doesn't work.
We have nowhere to send our children.
When children come in, we are the ones who have to receive them.
We have to make sure that we can take care of our children based on that, we can take care of adults as far as we can manage it.