Sundsvalls sjukhus is experiencing severe overcrowding with occupancy rates exceeding 100 percent across multiple departments, according to hospital officials. The situation has reportedly placed the hospital in 'svart läge' (black alert status), the highest level of occupancy pressure in the Swedish healthcare system.
On Tuesday, the first weekday after the Easter holiday weekend, the surgery department operated at 109 percent capacity, meaning eight more patients than available beds. The medical clinic reached 115 percent occupancy, with one ward operating at 125 percent capacity - 30 patients in a ward designed for 24.
Unfortunately, we have this situation from time to time. It doesn't mean all these patients without available care places are lying in corridors. There are other spaces we can use.
Acting area director Minna Mattsson described the situation as strained but not extraordinary. 'Unfortunately, we have this situation from time to time,' she told SVT Mittnytt. 'It doesn't mean all these patients without available care places are lying in corridors. There are other spaces we can use.'
Due to the overcrowding, patients are being transferred to Örnsköldsviks sjukhus, according to reports. Operations manager Leif Ehlin confirmed the strained situation but noted that Örnsköldsviks sjukhus is not near black alert status itself.
Mattsson explained that multiple factors contribute to the high occupancy rates, which often occur after long holiday weekends. The situation remained largely unchanged into Wednesday morning.