In her opinion piece, Susanne Nyström emphasizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the dire need for municipalities in Sweden to have the authority to hire their own doctors for elderly care facilities. She argues that the medical competence in these facilities is alarmingly low, leading to various negative outcomes, including loss of life. This urgency to reform has been apparent for a long time, yet the pandemic brought these issues to the forefront.

Nyström points out that the shortcomings in elderly care had been known to those in the field even before the pandemic struck. However, it was only during the health crisis that the full extent of the deficiencies became starkly clear. The health authorities, including Folkhälsomyndigheten (the Public Health Agency of Sweden), recognized these needs and began taking steps to address them. By advocating for reform in how elderly care is managed and staffed, Nyström argues that Sweden can improve outcomes in this vulnerable sector.

The implications of this advocacy are significant, particularly as Sweden continues to grapple with the ongoing effects of the pandemic on its healthcare system. By allowing municipalities to employ their own doctors, the government can ensure that elderly care facilities have the necessary medical expertise to provide high-quality care, ultimately saving lives and improving the health of the elderly population. This reflection on the lessons learned from the pandemic highlights the importance of proactive measures in public health and nursing home management.