The Justitieombudsmannen has issued sharp criticism against adult psychiatry at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg following visits to five departments. Patients are sleeping in corridors and repeated forced medication occurs, raising concerns. Politicians demand action, and the Moderates propose a crisis commission for the region's psychiatry.
Tensions have been high around the closed adult psychiatry at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in recent months. In late December, the Justitieombudsmannen (JO) visited five departments and found more patients than available beds everywhere. Several patients had to sleep on beds in corridors or common rooms. The elderly psychiatric department's facilities were described as poorly adapted for the elderly and rundown, making the care neither good nor safe.
JO expressed concern over patients being forcibly medicated or restrained against their will repeatedly, sometimes for several days. In the past month, several managers have left their positions, including the acting head of the psychiatry area.
Politicians in the hospital leadership have expressed shock over the criticism, particularly regarding coercive measures, and demand their reduction. Staff have long warned about the consequences of cuts. The number of psychiatric beds has decreased over several years, especially in 2024 amid major savings efforts.
Hanna Kataoka, senior physician in psychiatry and chair of the Medical Association at the hospital, states: “If you dismantle psychiatry, you get serious consequences. I am shocked that the same politicians who decide to cut psychiatric care are horrified by how it looks.” She links forced care to resource shortages and deteriorating outpatient services, which lead to acute deteriorations in patients.
The Moderates want to establish a crisis commission for psychiatry across the entire Västra Götalandsregionen to examine causes and propose measures, involving external review. The red-green leadership refers to their existing action plan. Regional councilor Carina Örgård (V) comments: “What is described in the criticism is terrible. But we are fully engaged in all parts of psychiatry. We have no reason to start over.” Lars Holmin (M), deputy chairman of the regional council, emphasizes the need for a common overview.
At Sahlgrenska, the number of beds in adult psychiatry is being increased by 11. Kataoka calls for a broad and deep investigation: “There needs to be an investigation that is both broad and deep. One should not exclude the other. This must not become a half-baked job.”
