In Uddevalla, Sweden, serious allegations have emerged regarding the night staffing of home care services, leading to the suspension of an entire team of 19 employees. Reports of threats, drug use, and a dysfunctional work environment have surfaced, prompting an internal and external investigation. Social Services Chief Malin Normann has apologized, while local politicians express anger and concern over the situation.
Outrage Over Alarming Conditions in Uddevalla Home Care: 'Furious'
Outrage Over Alarming Conditions in Uddevalla Home Care: 'Furious'
Threats, drugs, manipulative behavior, and a 'dysfunctional and destructive work group'. The alarms about night staffing in Uddevalla's home care are serious, leading to the suspension of the entire group.
- I want to start by offering an apology, says Social Services Chief Malin Normann at a press conference.
Last week, Uddevalla municipality raised alarms about serious deficiencies in the night staffing of home care.
The deficiencies are considered so extensive that the entire group - 19 people - has been suspended from their work until the beginning of October.
A Lex Sarah report reveals that staff are suspected of withholding information, failing to visit clients as promised, and showing 'a lack of responsibility.'
The group is described as 'dysfunctional and destructive' with a 'harsh climate and strong factions.' According to the report, there are suspicions of 'filming, threats, alcohol and drug use, and manipulative behavior from and between staff.'
Alarms Since 2022
Three former unit managers have, between 2022 and 2024, raised alarms about 'serious misconduct' - without any action being taken, according to the report.
Social Services Chief Malin Normann stated at a press conference on Thursday that she received information about 'certain deficiencies' at the beginning of June. Since then, more and more information about the work group has emerged, according to the municipality.
Last week, the decision was made to suspend the 19 employees.
- I was worried about whether we can deliver quality to those we are here for in a reassuring way, says Normann about the decision.
The municipality does not want to go into detail about the specific deficiencies or how clients have been affected. No police report has yet been filed.
- We need to map out more first. We have checked with the police and will continue to coordinate with them, says Normann.
Documentation from the municipality shows that both care assistants and nurses are among those suspended. Night staffing is being handled by other staff during the suspension.
Politician: 'Furious'
It is unclear how many the municipality actually suspects of misconduct at work - but the Social Services Chief believes the entire group needed to be suspended to investigate the matter properly.
- We cannot answer who has been involved or in what way, she says at the press conference.
The chairman of the Social Welfare Board, Ann-Charlott Gustafsson from the local Uddevalla Party, says she is 'furious and distraught' over what has happened.
- I fully understand the reactions occurring in the community among both clients and relatives, she says at the press conference.
Several of the suspended employees testified this week in Bohuslänningen that they received minimal information from the municipality.
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We have received zero information. The only thing we have seen is in the media. We do not know what is true, says one of the employees to the newspaper.
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There are many of us who have not received any warnings or anything else against us. Now we are suddenly not welcome in the building, says another.
The entire situation is now being reviewed both internally and by an external consulting firm. Next week, relatives have been invited to an information meeting with the municipality.