Test Was Praised, but Internal Report Shows a Different Picture

A trial of shorter working hours at Stockholm’s emergency hospitals has delivered fewer operations than planned, according to an internal report from Karolinska University Hospital.

The pilot began last autumn across Region Stockholm’s five emergency hospitals and covers 1,400 nurses and assistant nurses. Participants work 34 hours a week while receiving the same pay as for a 38-hour week.

The findings could give new momentum to the debate over shorter working hours, although the issue has so far generated little heat in the election campaign.