In several parts of the country, hospitals are heavily burdened by the spread of RS, influenza and covid-19. In Region Skåne, the regional management urges people with mild ailments not to seek care at emergency departments during the Epiphany weekend, while in the Västra Götaland region flags are raised because the children’s emergency room in Gothenburg is particularly vulnerable, with 280 applicants per day instead of around 170, writes Läkartidningen.
Operations may be postponed
According to the news agency TT, hospitals in at least four regions are in reinforcement mode, which is the step before a state of disaster. This means, among other things, that planned operations can be postponed.
– The pressure on care is severe throughout the country, says Johan Bratt, chief physician in Region Stockholm.
There are several explanations for the fact that Epiphany usually gets a peak in care seekers:
– Partly it is because many postpone their healthcare visit during Christmas and New Year until Epiphany, and partly because many are coming back from their winter holiday now. I think you should think twice before going to an emergency department, the risk is that you will otherwise have to wait a very long time, says Johan Bratt.
More care places
He describes the situation in Stockholm as strained. When it comes to sickness absence among healthcare staff, however, things look a little brighter:
– The staff who have been sick are on their way back now. We have also strengthened care in Region Stockholm with 100 extra care places for the weekend.
In order not to worsen the situation in healthcare further, Johan Bratt calls for caution in the parts of the country where it is slippery.
– There are a lot of accidents with fractures as a result right now. Use spikes if it’s slippery where you live. Also avoid seeking care for minor ailments at the emergency room, call 1177 instead, he says.
He also urges those who are ill with a cold and fever to stay at home so that the infection is not spread further.
In the clip, Johan Bratt explains which symptoms you should always seek help for – and when you should stay home and wait.