The healthcare union’s strike, which is expected to break out at 11 a.m. today, affects approximately 2,000 healthcare workers at the country’s seven largest hospitals.
The background is that the Care Confederation has not reached an agreement with the employer’s side in the conflict, which primarily concerns shorter working hours. The last time Vårdförbundet’s members went on strike was in 2008.
Conflict between the Healthcare Association and the employers
This is how West Sweden is affected by the care strike
This is how patients in Jönköping are affected by the care strike
The reduced staffing can lead to longer queues in emergency departments and postponed operations.
Emergency department closes
In Stockholm, an emergency department at Karolinska University Hospital will be closed and staff redistributed. According to Johan Bratt, emergency care should not be affected, but some patients may still suffer.
– For example, if you have pain in a hip that is to be replaced with a prosthesis, you will unfortunately have a longer period of pain while waiting for surgery, says Johan Bratt.
He sees a risk that operations in orthopedics, gynecology and ear, nose and throat, among other things, will be postponed until the autumn because the summer period means an already reduced staffing.
– It is unfortunate, says Johan Bratt.
Västerbotten in staff mode
In Västerbotten, the region has gone into staff mode. It is primarily Norrland University Hospital in Umeå that is affected by the announced strike.
– The patients who are inside must be cared for exactly as usual, says Johan Thunberg, chief physician for Region Västerbotten.
None of them sees a risk that patient safety in terms of emergency care is compromised, and urges them to seek care if they need it.
– The biggest concern is that we are in a conflict, we need to invest our energy in better staffing the care, says Johan Thunberg.
The chief doctors do not belong to any of the parties in the care conflict.