Easy guide to Sundsvalls sjukhuset scandals [updated]

This story has everything, politics, protectionism, lying and deceiving. For the last 2 months Sundsvalls sjukhuset is supplying a weekly dose of scandals.

It all started in Summer 2009 with Västernorrland’s landstingsstyrelse to fire 500 employees at the hospital. Although the consequences of that decision can affect all people in the region it went relatively without objection. The chairwoman of Västernorrland’s landstingsstyrelse, Ewa Söderberg managed to keep herself away from the crossfire, but not for long.

On January 2010 the number jumped to 700 employees that will be fired and now Söderberg couldn’t stay away from criticism. The chairwoman was called to Sundsvall’s kommun to explain the decision and answer questions regarding how the health services in the region will be affected.

Around that time another controversy began to roll up when the newly hired hospital director Sigbjörn Olofsson that is in charge of the financial recovery of the hospital will earn around 80,000kr per month plus benefits. This wasn’t enough for him and his salary raised to 140,000kr.

Not bad for a full time job in nowadays, only that it is not a full time job, but a part time. Olofsson is also the director of Örnsköldsvik hospital. One person, two hospitals and very good job contract.

And just as we thought that the chain of scandals cannot go any further than this came the latest. Ingmari Bäcklin, an independent financial advisor, was hired to help Olofsson for the financial recovery of the hospital. Bäcklin and Olofsson had worked together in the past in Stockholm, but that small hinting of protectionism was only the tip of the iceberg. Soon enough Bäcklin was revealed as a pack troubles. Day after day we found out new things about Bäcklin. First it was the outrageous salary, 13,000kr per day. Than half a million debt to kronofogden by a person that suppose to be an expert in financial recovery. And yesterday it was found out that she lied about her past experience in her CV.

This morning the Bäcklin controversy might end with her firing by Västernorrland’s landstingsstyrelse, but that hospital is expected to deliver its share of news as the first round of firings will start in the spring.

Update (4.02, 12:55): Västernorrland’s landstingsstyrelse decided to fire Ingmarie Bäcklin and a complaint  was issued to Stockholm police.

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