Critical Ambulance Service Failures Leave Värmdö Municipality Without Emergency Response
Värmdö municipality experienced a night without ambulance services, raising serious public safety concerns.
Key Points
- • Värmdö municipality had no ambulance available for an entire evening due to a broken vehicle.
- • Ambulance nurse Morgan Råström expressed concern that someone could have died without an ambulance.
- • The incident is indicative of a staffing crisis and unreliable ambulance fleet in Region Stockholm.
- • An investment plan for replacing old ambulances has been acknowledged but did not prevent the incident.
On the evening of August 17, 2025, Värmdö municipality faced a dire situation when it became entirely devoid of ambulance services for an entire night. This alarming incident arose when a vehicle from Nacka, which was designated to cover the area, was out of service, leaving residents without critical emergency care when it was most needed. Ambulance nurse Morgan Råström underscored the urgency of the situation, stating, "Someone could have died" due to the lack of immediate medical support. This incident is particularly concerning given that Värmdö typically swells to approximately 100,000 residents during the summer months, highlighting the essential nature of reliable emergency services in the area.
The shortage of ambulances is not an isolated event but is symptomatic of broader systemic issues within Region Stockholm's emergency medical services. Reports have indicated a staffing crisis that has rendered the system heavily reliant on overtime to meet operational demands, rather than maintaining a sufficient workforce for regular operations. Råström pointed out that an already existing crisis in staffing has left the ambulance service inadequately prepared to respond to emergencies, with reports pointing out frequent vehicle breakdowns and an outdated fleet that consistently fails to operate efficiently.
Jani Sundqvist, the head of Ambulance Services in Greater Stockholm, acknowledged these persistent challenges and mentioned an investment plan aimed at phasing out older vehicles. Last year, 28 ambulances were replaced, with another 27 replacements expected by fall 2025. However, he did not provide any specific answer or reassurance regarding the lack of ambulance availability during the incident in Värmdö.
The failures in ambulance service continue to raise significant concerns for public safety in the region. The situation illustrates the urgent need for a reassessment of the emergency medical services’ infrastructure and staffing levels, to ensure that such a crucial service can consistently meet the needs of the community it's meant to protect.