Ingrid
Wester
Ostrobothnia
"Health starts with caring"
Health starts with caring, with the reassurance that care is there when we need it and with the knowledge that no one is left alone in times of worry. My name is Ingrid Wester, I'm 18 years old and I'm in my final year at Jakobstad Upper Secondary School. I have always believed in the power of listening, caring and daring to fight for what is right.
Through my involvement in the Ostrobothnia Welfare Area Youth Council, I work to ensure that care is close to people, so that no one has to hesitate when seeking help. I am fighting for the 24-hour emergency service at Malmska in Jakobstad to be preserved, so that the security of accessible care will always be there. But care is more than emergency care, it is also about prevention, strengthening and seeing people. That's why I want to develop the existing psychological and counselling services for young people, so that no one has to carry their worries alone.
But my commitment extends beyond Jakobstad, I want to work for the whole of Ostrobothnia. Everyone, no matter where they live, should have the right to safe and close care. It shouldn't matter if you live in a big city or in the countryside, healthcare should be there for you. I want to see an Ostrobothnia where health care is fair and accessible to all, where young people get the support they need, and where we together build a society where caring is the foundation.
As a member of the Swedish Youth organisation board and vice chairman of the Jakobstad Youth Council, I am passionate about a future where care is not a luxury, but a matter of course. Where every individual has the right to support, where mental health is taken seriously and where caring can be the basis of everything we do. Because health starts right there, in the willingness to see and care for each other.
Important political topics
Accessible health care
Care should be a given, not a question of where you live or what resources you have. No one should have to worry that help is too far away when they need it most. Accessible care is not just about emergency care, but also about prevention, support and being there in time. Care should be close to people, whether it's a school counsellor or a life-saving emergency service. Cutting back on healthcare means cutting back on people's security.
That's why I want to work for a healthcare system that sees and cares, that meets people where they are, and that gives everyone the right to health and well-being.
Safe elderly care
A dignified old age is a right, not a privilege. Those who have built our society deserve to feel safe, seen and respected. No one should have to worry about whether there will be enough help, whether staff will have time to listen, or whether there will be a place in a care home when they need it.
Safe elderly care is about more than care. It is about community, about living a dignified life with meaningful days. It is about having enough staff, time for care and care that is based on the individual's needs.
That's why I want to work for elderly care where caring is at the centre, where no one is left alone and where every elderly person gets the security and respect they deserve.
Thriving children, adolescents and families
All children and young people should be able to grow up in safety, with support and opportunities to thrive. No one should have to struggle alone with mental health problems, and no family should be left without help when everyday life becomes difficult.
Early intervention makes a difference. When families receive the right support in time, we can prevent exclusion, ill health and insecurity. It should be easy to get help, whether it is psychological support, social services or care.
That's why I want to work for a society where every child, young person and family gets the support they need, on time, close by and with care.
Candidates answers in election machine
1 / 13
It is important that the wellbeing services county of Ostrobothnia has a central hospital with full emergency services.
2 / 13
The geographical distance to services is more important than whether the services are located within municipal boundaries.
3 / 13
There should be more mobile services, such as health buses and remote consultations.
I think it is a good thing that there are mobile services such as health buses and remote consultations. But at the same time I think that we should not rely too much on them and develop them rather than the services at health centres. A combination of both is good.
4 / 13
Wellbeing services counties must increase investments in preventive healthcare, even if it means that other types of care receive fewer resources.
I believe that preventive care is very important. But I don\'t think it\'s a good thing if it comes at too great a cost to other forms of care.
5 / 13
A personal doctor system should be introduced to improve continuity of care, even if it requires extra resources for a while.
I believe that introducing a personal doctor system is something we should strive for. However, it should be done within economic limits and tested to see if it is something that works.
6 / 13
Wellbeing services counties should prohibit the use of temporary agency doctors.
I do not believe that we should ban the use of temporary agency doctors altogether, but rather try to reduce it. There are situations where you have no choice but to use temporary agency doctors.
7 / 13
More shelter spaces should be established to help individuals subjected to violence.
If the need is there, it goes without saying that we should create more shelter places to help victims of violence.
8 / 13
To shorten waiting times, wellbeing services counties should increase the use of service vouchers.
While service vouchers are a good way to reduce waiting lists for care, I think we should first look at why the waiting lists are so long and how the welfare area could shorten them.
9 / 13
Healthcare should be centralized if it saves money or improves quality.
In some areas, it may be worth centralising care to improve quality, but it is important that care is close to people, which is why I do not advocate centralisation in the first place.
10 / 13
Funding and resources for rescue services should be prioritized higher, even if it means cuts in other sectors.
It goes without saying that rescue services should be adequately resourced, but this should not be at the expense of, for example, healthcare.
11 / 13
Undocumented migrants should have the right to non-urgent healthcare.
This is important for the prevention of health problems. Being undocumented should not be a barrier to accessing healthcare.
12 / 13
More emphasis should be placed on training healthcare staff in gender diversity and sexual diversity.
Important that staff are trained to provide care according to individual patient needs.
13 / 13