Updated 16:48 | Published 16:47
After many tours, most things now indicate that the emergency department in Lidköping will be closed down.
Today, thousands of people gathered in a demonstration to show their displeasure.
– A decision like this means that people will die, says Emma Larsson, one of the initiators of the demonstration.
After several rounds about whether or not the emergency department should be in Lidköping, several thousand people went in a demonstration today to show their dissatisfaction with the decision.
The demonstration train went through the central parts of the city and ended in the Stadsträdgården with speeches from municipal politicians, doctors and regional councils. Both associations and companies have changed opening hours and postponed events so that as many people as possible can participate.
– We are trying with teeth and claws to once again tell with the voice of the people that this is completely premeditated, says Emma Larsson, 36, who is one of the initiators of today’s demonstration.
On the last of August, politicians in the strategic health and medical care committee voted yes to close down the emergency room and five other departments. The reason is a saving requirement of almost SEK 350 million for Skaraborg’s hospital and means that the emergency department would instead be moved to Skövde – a car journey of approximately 45 minutes.
– This would mean that those who live the furthest away will have to travel ten miles to the nearest emergency hospital. Purely crass, it means that people will die, says Emma Larsson.
Can still be saved
On Tuesday, a risk and impact analysis was presented for the changes, which showed a very high risk of moving the emergency department from Lidköping to Skövde. Among other things, it was pointed out that the staff will choose to quit instead of moving on and that there is a lack of transport between Lidköping and Skövde.
Now it is up to the hospital board and hospital director Stellan Ahlström to decide on the future of the emergency department. In a press release at Region Västra Götaland Ahlström comments on the claim that the hospital in Lidköping is being dismantled with the proposal:
“I don’t see it that way at all, the proposal also involves an investment in the hospital in Lidköping, which will also play a very important role in the future for the total care in Skaraborg.” He also points out that 42 out of 49 municipalities in the Västra Götaland region do not have an emergency department in their region and that 120,000 of the residents in the region have a longer distance than the 49 kilometers between Lidköping and Skövde.
“It’s not just about finances, but a change in healthcare,” says Stellan Ahlström.
The issue will be dealt with at a special board meeting on September 12.
– We hope that we can get them to simply change their mind and that they realize that it is not feasible, says Emma Larsson.
She is also overwhelmed by the support the demonstration has received.
– You knew that the support was there, but that 10-12,000 people would show up on the train and in front of the stage is huge, she says.