The then governing regional alliance had an election promise in 2018 to open a 24-hour close-in clinic in Karlshamn – something that at the end of summer 2021 instead became a criticized telephone line with healthcare advice at night.
In April 2022, the phone line was shut down and the emergency room moved into the former emergency center’s renovated premises, while the opening hours were extended.
This was also criticized by the opposition, who believed that it was false marketing, and that the election promise was far from fulfilled. The board, in turn, believed that they had adapted the operations to the care needs that existed at night.
The emergency room changes form again
Now comes the news that the Social Democrats, the Center Party and the Christian Democrats, who have taken over power in Region Blekinge, are changing the name of the operation to “evening and weekend open care center” and shortening the opening hours by one hour to 9 p.m. on weekdays, reports P4 Blekinge.
The business will also have a phone number with advice that patients in western Blekinge can reach at night. The investment, which has so far been run in project form, also receives permanent funding.
SVT has asked the chairman of the health and medical care board, as well as the chairman of the municipal board, for a comment.