[ad_1]
The first interim report from the Crown Commission arrived today. It assesses how Sweden’s strategy to protect the elderly in nursing homes during the pandemic has worked.
The Commission is harsh in its criticisms and points out, among other things “Long known structural deficiencies” in elderly care, and that this caused a problem when the virus struck.
Responsibility of current and former governments
Responsibility for known problems lies with current and former governments, which have been made aware of the situation, Commission President Mats Melin said at a press conference on Tuesday. He adds that responsibility is also shared by authorities, municipalities and private advisers.
At the same time, it is clear that the current government should have acted:
– The government should have taken such measures so that the care of the elderly was better equipped for the pandemic.
The opposition is quick to accept the criticism. On Tuesday afternoon, KD frontman Ebba Busch tweeted, among other things:
“Clear conclusions and criticism of the Crown Commission today. The government cannot escape responsibility. Given the criticism we have heard today from a state commission, the question must be asked of the Prime Minister: Does Löfven believe that he has the best people leading this work?? “
The harsh words of the opposition
SD frontman Jimmie Åkesson also writes on Twitter:
“The interim report released today is a rejection. It is a receipt of how badly Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and his government have acted under pressure. But most of all, it is a tragic story about how people in Sweden in 2020 died needlessly.. “
He continues:
“Of course, the ultimate responsibility rests with Prime Minister Stefan Löfven.“
Nooshi Dadgostar, leader of the Left party, is also critical:
– One in four people works hourly, a very large proportion have not received the education to which they are entitled in caring for the elderly. And I would say that this is probably the closest scandal one can have: how ill-equipped caring for the elderly has been and now it is really necessary for all politicians to think again.
She continues:
– It is necessary to hold politicians accountable because the care of the elderly is insufficiently funded. Why has the government during this term prioritized reducing the protection tax instead of investing in the care of the elderly?
Anders W Jonsson (C), a health policy spokesman, tells DN that the commission’s report is “a sad and worrying reading” and that the government’s efforts were late and insufficient, as the commission itself claims.
– Above all, that he has not pointed with his whole hand and taken the lead. It’s a really big shortage and ultimately a government failure, Jonsson tells the newspaper.
“You did not assume the responsibility that you should”
The moderate leader Ulf Kristersson agrees that various governments are responsible for the structural problems, which he claims have existed since the 1990s.
– Many governments should have done something about it a long time ago. But that does not exempt the government from all the decisions it has been able to make in this pandemic, given that we had the bad structure, he tells TT.
Kristersson believes the government has been too slow to make decisions that could have limited the spread of the infection.
– The government has not assumed the responsibility it should have, he tells TT.
Löfven: You didn’t read the report.
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven told TT in the afternoon that he has not yet read the report or spoken to the commission and therefore wants to wait to draw too definitive conclusions.
At the same time, it states:
– It would be strange if after a pandemic, after this, we do not draw conclusions that things should be done differently.
TT tells the Prime Minister:
The report says that the government and previous governments have failed and that the government should have taken the initiative to equip care for a crisis.
– I heard the quote, this government and previous governments must take responsibility for the fact that, in general, the care of the elderly has not been sufficiently equipped, Löfven responds.
TT again: This is a serious criticism, given the number of people who have died in nursing homes. Does this have any political consequences for those responsible?
– As I said, we have not even read the report, I cannot stay here now and draw the most momentous conclusions.
The Prime Minister tells DN that he welcomes a discussion on caring for the elderly:
– I assume and welcome the fact that the Commission will point out what should be done better. As the Social Democratic Prime Minister, I welcome a debate on caring for the elderly.
Social Affairs Minister Lena Hallengren (S) was also present during Tuesday’s press conference with the Crown Commission.
Preparing a new team
It also claims that Sweden’s strategy to protect the elderly has failed, at the same time announcing that the government is preparing a new law on care for the elderly.
– Regulations for the care of the elderly are too weak and the quality of care is too uneven. Stronger care for older people requires strong legislation, Hallengren says.
The government also intends to designate an investigation into medical competence in the care of the elderly. The Minister of Social Affairs believes that this can remedy some of the shortcomings identified by the Commission.
Expressen has contacted Stefan Löfven for further comment, but he declines.
