Political Debate Intensifies Over Regional Stockholm’s Centralized Eating Disorder Care

The centralization of specialised eating disorder treatment in Region Stockholm has sparked intense political debate ahead of the upcoming elections. The Social Democratic-led coalition consolidated care at the Stockholm Center for Eating Disorders (SCÄ), ending the contract with the private Mandometer clinic at the end of 2024. Opposition figures like Axel Conradi (Moderates) argue this shift has reduced patient choice and compromised care quality, calling it a political failure. Conradi also criticised Mandometer for overbilling and employing an unproven treatment method not approved by the National Board of Health and Welfare.

The debate was further inflamed by the documentary "Sveket," funded by a market-liberal think tank, highlighting patient testimonies about shortcomings in care. Christian Democrat Carl-Johan Schiller urged focus on patients’ needs rather than defending private providers. Meanwhile, regional finance councillor Aida Hadzialic defended the centralization, citing reduced waiting times and pointed out the documentary's political links. Sandra Ivanovic Rubin, chair of the psychiatry committee, expressed concern that patients feel caught in political battles and stressed the importance of solution-focused discussions.

Patient advocate Lotta Odelius underscored the ongoing struggles faced by chronically ill anorexia patients, observing that public versus private care is less relevant to them than healthcare’s ability to meet their individual needs. Despite political divides, the central issue remains ensuring tailored, effective care for vulnerable patients in Stockholm’s public health system.