Staff Reshuffled in Uddevalla Night Home Care Service Following Internal Investigation

Following a comprehensive internal review, Uddevalla municipality has taken decisive action regarding its night home care service staff. The investigation, initiated in response to reports of significant operational shortcomings, resulted in the dismissal of three employees, while thirteen others have been reinstated in alternative roles within municipal care services. Three additional staff members remain under review.

The inquiry was prompted by an incident in which a care recipient was left without assistance for several hours after activating an emergency alarm. Documentation revealed that, despite a staff member confirming to the emergency call center that the matter had been addressed, no one had entered the client's home. Analysis of vehicle tracking data indicated that the involved staff member had parked the service vehicle at their own residence during their shift. As a result, the individual in need did not receive assistance until the following morning, highlighting critical lapses in service delivery.

In response to this and similar incidents, the municipality suspended all 19 regular employees from the night home care team in September. The internal review, conducted by the human resources department in collaboration with medical and social care coordinators, examined emergency call logs, visit records, vehicle GPS data, and compliance with reporting protocols. Their findings identified multiple violations, including delayed or missed responses to client alarms, incomplete documentation, failure to report deviations, and instances of exceptionally brief or absent visits.

The investigation further uncovered patterns where staff compressed multiple visits into short periods or were found in locations unrelated to their work assignments during scheduled shifts. These practices were found to compromise the quality and safety of care provided to vulnerable individuals reliant on nighttime support.

Thirteen of the suspended employees have since been restored to duty in different care settings, following awareness sessions about operational expectations and standards. However, the three dismissed staff members have challenged their terminations and are currently engaged in discussions involving their union representatives and the municipality. The remaining three employees continue to be subject to ongoing review as part of the inquiry process.

Officials overseeing the investigation emphasized that the measures taken were necessary to safeguard the rights and welfare of care recipients in Uddevalla and to restore confidence in the municipality's care services. The review also identified shortcomings in managerial oversight, leading to the departure of two former managers responsible for the service.

Earlier reports and regulatory assessments, including a Lex Sarah notification to the Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO), had documented extensive failures in hygiene support and follow-up visits over a period of five years. While a police investigation into potential criminal offenses was subsequently closed, the municipality continued its internal processes to address the organizational and operational breakdowns.

Municipal authorities maintain that the suspension of the entire night care team was justified, citing the extensive evidence of misconduct and the need to ensure the safety and dignity of care recipients. The incident has prompted a broader review of procedures, supervision, and staff accountability within Uddevalla's social care services.