Calls for National Regulation of Advanced Specialist Nurses in Sweden
Malin Tillgren calls for national regulation of Advanced Specialist Nurses to enhance patient care and standardize healthcare across Sweden.
Key Points
- • Malin Tillgren emphasizes urgent need for nationally regulated AVS education.
- • International bodies recommend AVS roles for improved healthcare delivery.
- • Lack of regulation risks fragmented healthcare and uneven training.
- • Regulated AVS roles can enhance patient safety and care quality.
On July 26, 2025, Malin Tillgren, chair of Vårdförbundet Skåne, raised critical concerns regarding the Swedish healthcare system's ability to effectively meet patient demands, especially in relation to municipal health services and primary care. She advocated for the national regulation of Advanced Specialist Nurses (AVS), arguing that clearly defined roles and educational standards for AVS are essential to enhance healthcare delivery across Sweden.
The urgency of this call stems, in part, from recommendations made by international bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) that highlight the benefits of implementing AVS roles. These roles have shown potential in improving the quality of patient care, reducing hospital admissions, and enhancing the safety of healthcare delivery. However, Tillgren warns that without a cohesive national educational framework, Sweden risks a fragmented healthcare model where regions create inconsistent training programs, potentially compromising care quality and patient safety.
She noted that regions like Skåne, facing resource disparities, particularly need the establishment of AVS to ensure timely and appropriate patient care. Tillgren's appeal underscores the importance of advocating for a protected title for the AVS profession, which would standardize education and support skilled nurses within the healthcare system, crucially impacting the care provided to the population.
As the healthcare landscape evolves, the debate surrounding the national regulation of AVS continues to gain momentum, with significant implications for the future of Swedish healthcare services.