Damberg believes that the government and the Sweden Democrats have underfunded healthcare for some time.
– They have pushed forward this health care crisis that hits all health care regions, regardless of whether the region has a social democratic or moderate government.
He says that it is “obvious” that six billion kroner is too small an addition to fulfill the Prime Minister’s promise that no one should be dismissed from the Swedish healthcare system.
– Once again it will be a breach of promise by the prime minister, he says.
Damberg says that it is an important message that the regions get any money at all, but he points out that it will not change that the regions are forced to work with savings, cutbacks and potential layoffs.
– The announcement came so late so many savings packages are already in motion, says Mikael Damberg.
SKR: “The regions will have to take measures”
Anders Henriksson, chairman of Sweden’s municipalities and regions (SKR) says that the addition will be helpful but that the regions will still need to take measures.
– The regions have worked with it and will continue to work with it to see where the work can change without risking patient safety or unsustainable work environments for employees, he says.
Ebba Busch (KD) said during the press conference that six billion kroner corresponds to 7,000 nurses, but according to Henriksson, it is not certain that the money will go that far.
– It depends entirely on how the individual region’s needs look, but of course it will be beneficial, says Anders Henriksson, chairman of SKR.
MUF critical of the regional grants
Even the moderate youth association is critical of the government’s announcement about the regional grants.
“Cure stupid. The government curls the regional politicians as if they were spoiled brats,” writes union chairman Douglas Thor in an email to SVT and continues:
“We shouldn’t have an order where the regions can ask the mother state for swish every time they failed to manage their own resources.”.