TV4 News has i a series of features told about an elderly care facility in crisis.
Now the union Kommunal’s latest member survey shows that there will be major cuts in care for the elderly this year.
– It’s not just the staff who are allowed to run faster, in some municipalities they also cut back on food. It can be half a sandwich instead of a whole one for the elderly, says Malin Ragnegård, union chairman at Kommunal.
Just over 2,700 trade union representatives in 288 municipalities have responded to the survey. 47 percent answer that there will be cuts this year. 40 percent do not think so, while 13 percent do not know or have chosen not to answer.
– The cuts will affect the staff who have to take care of more elderly people, but also the quality of care. And in some municipalities, they cut back on the food, the elderly will get half a sandwich instead of a whole one, says Malin Ragnegård, union chairman at Kommunal.
Requires a crisis commission
Consequences are said to be poorer schedules, reduced staff density, lower competence in new hires and stoppages for substitutes in the event of sick leave.
Two-thirds of the agents are very concerned that both the working environment and the quality of care are getting worse.
– A crisis commission is needed for elderly care, it is far too low priority. Now you have to take these signals seriously, for the staff and above all for the elderly, says Malin Ragnegård.