Political battle over emergency department closed at night in Köping

In the fall of 2024, the medicine emergency room in Köping changed its name to Närakut. But apart from the name change, the biggest change was that the emergency room was closed at night.

- If you have a wallet of 10 billion, you can afford a night-time emergency room for 4 million, says Kenneth Östberg (S), who, together with the region's other opposition parties, V and C, promises to overturn the decision if they win the autumn regional elections.

The majority: "A way to get the staff to do enough"

This election promise worries the political majority with M+KD+L+SD. For them, the night closing was part of a puzzle to overcome a deficit in both staff and money.

- Sweden finds it increasingly difficult to staff healthcare and the public sector, so also in Västmanland. So this is a way to get enough staff, says Malin Gabrielsson (KD), regional councillor.

Limited patient group

She points out that children and people who need surgery have long had to seek emergency care in Västerås regardless of the time of day.

- The night closure affects a limited group of patients who still receive the same care day and night here. And we have Sweden's fastest ambulance, says Malin Gabrielsson (KD).