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In total, 45 people have died as a result of covid-19 in Blekinge, according to statistics released on December 30. Just over 4,700 people have been confirmed to be affected by the virus and 30 patients are receiving hospital care.
But even though times are tough and challenging for healthcare employees in the region, they are not allowed to participate in any additional pandemic bonuses in the salary envelope, which SVT Nyheter Blekinge was the first to report.
– It feels a bit like we get a lot of thanks and nice words for coming. It is one thing after another, we are told that we are heroes and that we should receive applause. But this is a risky job that we expose ourselves to every time we go to work, says assistant nurse Pernilla Ljunggren, 50, who has worked in a corona ward for the past three weeks.
– Isn’t it more than fair that we get a sum when we expose ourselves to risks? It is heavy at work, they are seriously ill patients. Nobody probably understands what it is like to work with these types of patients.
“Understand the opinions of the staff”
In Halland, among other places, all regional employees have received a bonus of SEK 5,000. At the same time, Skåne’s healthcare staff will receive a Christmas gift of just over SEK 3,000, as thanks for their hard work during this year’s pandemic.
Västra Götaland has also chosen to reward healthcare personnel who work with hospitalized covid-19 patients.
According to Blekinge regional director Peter Lilja, a dialogue is under way between the unions and the region on the replacement of the crown. He tells SVT that he is “close to setting foot on these issues.”
– I understand the opinions of the staff. This is an important and topical issue. But we believe that we will have to live with the pandemic for a long time, and therefore we want to find a long-term solution. We will have a new dialogue with the unions next week, Peter Lilja tells SVT.
“What do we get? Nothing”
But so far, Pernilla Ljunggren and her colleagues have managed without extra money for the pandemic.
– In several other regions, you get at least one risk supplement, so maybe you get an additional 500 SEK for each session in a covid department. But what do we get? We don’t get anything, just encouraging feedback, he says.
What do you say to everyone who plans to celebrate the New Year now in the afternoon and in the evening?
– Yes, I really think you should think one and two more times about that. If you go out to meet people, I tell you: cancel, it’s not worth it. You don’t want to be affected by the virus and end up in the hospital. You don’t want to be in that bed and you need help breathing.
