I’m really sorry to hear about what happened, but I’m glad your daughter seems to be feeling better.
This is unfortunately Swedish healthcare in a nutshell. We have one of the highest numbers of doctors per capita in the world. Yet, we still have long wait times, major struggles to get adequate care, and as several people here have mentioned, you often have to be at death’s door just to get any help at all. The whole system with healthcare centers, phone hours, wait times, long referral times, and all that I don’t even have the energy to go into detail. I have several friends in the industry who are working to improve these kinds of “patient flows” to make things more efficient and ensure proper care. But they all say that Sweden is the country least interested in accepting help. It’s basically impossible to assist them, they say. All they want is more resources. But sadly, it’s not just a matter of resources. This is a clear example of how things can go wrong, and unfortunately, it happens all too often. I don’t think we have bad doctors or nurses in this country. It’s just that they’re not working in the right way. The resources we have aren’t being used effectively.
I remember when I got sick with shingles while I was in Belgium. I was able to see the right doctor just minutes after walking in without an appointment at the first place I visited. I got the proper medication and recovered within a few days. It’s an illness that often drags on for a long time if not treated correctly and promptly. The doctor even said, when I mentioned I was from Sweden, “Congratulations on getting sick here instead!” He knew exactly what he was talking about. In my case, I could have gone blind in one eye if I hadn’t received the right treatment within the first 24 hours.
Go ahead and file a complaint, and fight as much as you can. But for now, the most important thing is, of course, your daughter’s recovery. 🙏🏼
