Stefan Löfven: The regions are responsible for the failure of older people in nursing homes to receive the care to which they are entitled.

Last week, the Swedish Health and Care Inspectorate, Ivo, presented a review that showed serious deficiencies in the management of people in nursing homes. During the first wave of the pandemic, for example, many of the elderly did not receive an individual evaluation by a doctor, something to which they are entitled under the law.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven stresses that Ivo has very clearly identified the regions as responsible for the situation.

Do you share Ivo’s opinion?

– There is no doubt about it. I think it is very strange that there can be an argument. It is clear in the law who is responsible for what. Ivo is very clear about it, and it is because the law is what it is, says Stefan Löfven.

How do you see your responsibilities and those of the government?

– The state ensures that there are resources, both financial and trained personnel. But when we have a division of responsibilities, it is the one that applies.

– Then you can always argue if more money is needed. Now we are adding giant resources. During the previous term, SEK 35 billion was added to Swedish welfare and 100,000 more were used.

– The main problem for me is not to throw a hot potato between us. The main question is how we do it so that the population of Sweden improves, regardless of where they live somewhere.

How do you see that we can come out of this crisis with thousands of deaths and no one really taking responsibility?

– The Crown Commission has been appointed to give us an overview. It is clear that the government, parliament, municipalities and authorities must be visible. It is important that we get that overview. Many have already started this spring to say what needs to change, but drawing the most far-reaching conclusions too soon won’t be good either.

What has the government done to prevent the situation from being the same as last spring in the country’s nursing homes now during the second wave?

– This spring, we were able to affirm that very few were trained in basic hygiene routines. It also didn’t work well with protective gear. The National Board of Health and Welfare was commissioned to train and has now trained 160,000 people. The National Board of Health and Welfare was also tasked with keeping the procurement of protective equipment together so that there was a margin.

– Then the great investment in caring for the elderly is no less important. The regions will receive an additional four billion per year in the coming years to be able to increase staffing, not have shared rides or avoid involuntary part-time work. It is a massive investment. We are not going back to what it was before the pandemic, we are going to something better.

Is there anything you regret about the government’s handling of the crown crisis?

– I want to wait to draw the most important conclusions. We are still in the middle of management. I have been fully focused on ensuring the protection of life and health, ensuring that healthcare can handle this and that there are resources. But it shouldn’t surprise us to draw conclusions later.

With the result in hand, was it correct to raise the limit to 300 people and provide advice to more than 70 people at the same time that the spread of the infection took off?

– The limit of 300 was an exception and was added after a long discussion between the authorities and the organizers if it is possible to implement in a contagious way. Both the cultural and sports sectors had testified to how incredibly tough it was. In retrospect, it turned out that the spread of the infection became so high in society that we said eight people is the norm.

When you presented this, it was perceived as a relief from the restrictions, do you think it influenced the way citizens chose to listen to advice and recommendations during the fall?

– During late spring, summer, and early fall, we had a little respite and it felt like the infection had subsided. It may mean that you don’t think so much about distance. Parties were organized, people returned to work.

– Now we believe that we see that there has been a change in behavior. Ultimately, it is we, as individuals, who decide how it should go. I hope we can endure and persevere.

How do you assess the risk that the government will be forced to implement even stricter restrictions?

– I do not rule. The starting point is to save lives and health. If necessary, we are prepared to do so.

Several countries hope to be able to vaccinate the majority of their population until the summer, while the Swedish authorities estimate that the majority of Swedes cannot be vaccinated until the autumn of 2021. Why is this so?

– I do not know how others think, I only know what is the basis of the assessment we make. On the one hand, the vaccine does not arrive at the same time, they will be approved at different times and will be structured in different ways. If they arrive gradually and we start from risk groups such as the elderly and health and assistance personnel, then the reality will be that not everyone will be vaccinated immediately.

– The authorities and the coordinator have estimated that the large number of vaccinations will take place after the summer. I have no other knowledge. It can also be good not to have too short eyesight and think that this is over in August. No, it probably isn’t over. We have to aim for a longer period of time.

Given that cooperation between the state and the regions was loosened earlier during the pandemic, are you sure that Sweden will be able to vaccinate the entire population as quickly as other EU countries?

– I think Sweden has better conditions. We basically have a vaccination structure. The regions have been vaccinated before and we have one of the most vaccine-friendly populations. But it is basically based on very careful planning and we should not underestimate the logistical challenge. It’s one thing to get a vaccine, but only when the needle is in the arm does it work.

– It is a gigantic challenge and that it happens without any problem seems naive to me, but what I hear is that all the regions are in it, they have made their order, they know how many to be vaccinated and in what order they should take it.

How do you see the possibilities of the citizens of a Christmas celebration something normal?

– We are now awaiting the evaluation of the Public Health Agency. But you shouldn’t expect a completely normal Christmas. That would be naive. We will have to think about Christmas so that it does not become a source of contagion.

How should you celebrate Christmas yourself?

– We will wait for the announcement of the authority, but Ulla and I are preparing for a different Christmas.