Opinion: Municipalities should say yes – the health of the elderly is at stake

Following severe criticism of Sweden's elderly care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has enabled municipalities to hire their own doctors. This move aims to bolster medical expertise within municipal elder care services, a key recommendation from the Corona Commission.

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From today, it is permitted for municipalities to hire doctors.

However, the response from local authorities has been lukewarm. A survey indicated that out of 153 responding municipalities, only five plan to begin recruiting doctors. Concerns cited include the lack of additional state funding for the reform and the difficulty of competing with regions for qualified medical professionals.

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The Corona Commission's scathing criticism... the strategy to protect the elderly had failed.

The article criticizes this hesitation, emphasizing that the health of the elderly should take precedence over inter-municipal budget negotiations. It references the Ädelreformen of 1992, noting that this necessary step should have been taken much earlier.

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Only 5 out of 153 responding municipalities plan to start recruiting doctors.

The government's initiative, passed by parliament on June 9, grants municipalities greater flexibility to ensure access to doctors. This is seen as crucial for providing quality care tailored to the needs of elderly residents. The article concludes that while municipal doctors are a step in the right direction, the slow adoption rate is a missed opportunity to significantly improve elder care.

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Municipalities should put the health of the elderly before redistribution discussions.