Liselotte Högman from Timrå waited twelve months for a basic wheelchair cushion. She has needed specialized care since a back injury at age 24 left her using a wheelchair.
"You cannot wait for a cushion when you need it to sit in your wheelchair," Liselotte said.
The private company Premicare operated Timrå's healthcare center for twenty years. Another private firm, Prima vård Sverige AB, acquired them earlier this year.
No trained occupational therapist has been available locally for the past year. The position was terminated, leaving the center without this specialist for an extended period.
Mikael Stenlund, regional manager at Prima Vård, responded via email about their solution. "We currently have an occupational therapist working across multiple locations," he stated.
The therapist now serves Söråker, Timrå, Ljustadalen, and Härnösand while collaborating with other rehabilitation services.
This case highlights Sweden's ongoing challenges with healthcare accessibility in smaller municipalities. Private providers often struggle to maintain specialized staff in rural areas, creating delays for patients needing specific equipment or expertise.
The situation shows how administrative changes and staffing shortages directly impact vulnerable patients. Basic medical equipment should not require year-long waits in a developed healthcare system.