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It was late last week that a widespread corona outbreak was known at the Kolla nursing home in Kungsbacka. In addition to a restraining order, several measures were put in place to slow the spread of the infection.
Kommunal unions and individual accommodation employees are sounding the alarm that these are basically extensive work environment issues affecting the spread of infection.
READ MORE: New restraining order on nursing homes in Kungsbacka
Until the extent of the infection was made public and changes were made, staff could work in a room where COVID-19 was present and then continue in a room where residents had not been infected.
“It was a quick jerk to do it”
An auxiliary nurse who wishes to remain anonymous says:
– That was the case for several weeks. But when the spread was known, there was a quick jolt to get it. Then the sick would be suddenly transferred to the same room. Of course, he should have done it much earlier, she says.
Elpida Georgitsi, regional union representative in Kommunal. Photo: Kent Hansson
Everyday Regional Manager Gertrud Öjetoft confirms that during the period when infection increased, staff could work in a department where the infection was present and then work in a department where the infection was not found.
– But not during the same day, this according to the guidelines we received. Now, since last week, we have all the covid patients isolated in one ward and we do not replace that staff with other wards, he says.
From a union perspective, it is believed that it is personnel and work environment problems that form the basis of housing problems. Fewer care employees are said to have increased the burden and negatively affected the quality of care. Vardaga took office just over a year ago and in negotiations over cuts, the union warned of the consequences.
READ MORE: Extensive corona outbreak in nursing homes: “The situation is dire”
– Annually, the business has been reduced by a full-time staff during the day. In our risk analysis, we warned of a number of serious shortcomings, and it did not improve with a pandemic. Our members have had a really bad time and felt inadequate. I believe that understaffing, stress and high staff turnover are the basis for the increased spread of the infection, says Elpida Georgitsi, Kommunal regional union representative.
It has been stopped for deficiencies.
During the year, according to Kommunal employees in Kolla, they chose to resign due to the workload. How many are unclear.
– I do not have an exact figure because I have not received it from the employer. Not least, there are many talented assistant nurses who have left, says Therese Åberg, regional security representative at Kommunal, continuing:
– Staff turnover has created a hole in the business. It takes time to get newcomers to learn the routines and it takes time for already full staff.
Gertrud Öjetoft is Vardaga’s regional manager. Image: every day
Regional director Gertrud Öjetoft emphasizes that the company has taken various measures after the infection and that it has not had any new infection since last Friday.
Should you have acted sooner?
– I think it would have been difficult. This is a very complex business, you can’t move people anyway, he says.
Kommunal criticizes the lack of staff and stress. Your comment on that?
– We have changed an organization and of course it can be experienced as stressful. As with any change, it can take time to get into new routines. We had the same staff last spring, but then we didn’t have any infections in the accommodation, she says.
Are there several who have quit smoking?
– I do not have figures in this regard, the care of the elderly generally has a high staff turnover, there are many who continue or begin to study. But it is a pity that you decide to quit smoking, we want to keep our talented staff, says Gertrud Öjetoft.
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