Örebro Social Democrats Pledge Improved Youth Mental Health Services and Reduced Waiting Times

In Örebro County, the Social Democrats have announced a comprehensive plan to address long waiting times and enhance mental health services for children and young people. Party leader Jenny Steen emphasized that many patients currently face delays in accessing care, and the party's goal is to enable same-day contact with healthcare centers for all patients. The region currently experiences the highest patient-to-doctor ratio in Sweden, with each general practitioner responsible for about 2,300 residents, more than double the recommended 1,100. To improve this, the Social Democrats plan to recruit more healthcare staff and lower this ratio, alongside expanding communication channels through phone and digital services.

Additionally, the party aims to enhance working conditions and increase salaries for lower-paid healthcare workers as part of a broader initiative to strengthen healthcare in the region. This effort includes reallocating resources and a recent tax increase to support these improvements. The focus on moving more care from hospitals to primary healthcare centers is a key strategy to reduce pressure on hospital services and facilitate better access to care locally.

These commitments come ahead of the 2026 elections and reflect a targeted approach to support youth mental health and overall healthcare accessibility within Örebro County.