In the summer of 2023, Jessica Ahlinder was admitted to Akademiska Hospital in Uppsala for a planned surgery to address multiple cysts on her ovaries, some of which were suspected to be cancerous. The experience quickly devolved into a struggle for adequate communication, as the hospital repeatedly failed to provide a sign language interpreter despite her repeated requests.
Ahlinder, who is deaf, arrived at the hospital anticipating the interpreter she had been told was arranged. However, no interpreter appeared. She attempted to communicate her needs to doctors, who assured her an interpreter would arrive, but these assurances proved empty. “They thought I was being silly and said, ‘Oh, you write so well,’” Ahlinder recounted in an interview with SVT Nyhetstecken. For two days, she remained without an interpreter, relying on written notes to convey critical information and understand her medical situation.
Growing increasingly desperate, Ahlinder independently contacted both the Gävleborg and Uppsala Interpreter Centers, only to discover that Akademiska Hospital had not placed any request for interpreter services. She then proactively booked an interpreter herself, securing assistance for subsequent days. While the arrival of the interpreter provided relief, the initial lack of communication left her feeling isolated and frightened. “Without an interpreter, I feel very alone, just looking at them and understanding nothing,” she stated in an interview with Sveriges Radio, as reported by Teckenrapport.se.
The situation improved somewhat after a visit from a deaf team, prompting doctors to initiate booking interpreters, albeit for limited hours each day. Ahlinder continued to independently arrange for longer interpreter sessions, recognizing the significant difference effective communication made in her care. She was facing a potentially life-threatening situation, awaiting a major surgery involving the opening of her chest, and the ability to fully understand her treatment plan was paramount.
The lack of timely interpreter access prompted Ahlinder to file a complaint with the Swedish Discrimination Ombudsman (DO). The DO has confirmed the complaint and initiated an investigation. A similar case involving a denial of interpreter services to a deaf patient had previously resulted in a fine for Gävle Hospital, according to Teckenrapport.se.
In November 2025, the Discrimination Ombudsman ruled that Akademiska Hospital must pay Ahlinder 40,000 Swedish kronor in compensation. The hospital initially contested the decision but ultimately accepted it. The ruling highlighted a systemic issue within the hospital, as staff on duty during the weekend of Ahlinder’s admission were reportedly unaware of the proper procedures for booking sign language interpreters.
Akademiska Hospital can be contacted via their switchboard at 018-611 00 00, or through their e-services platform accessible via 1177.se, which allows patients to manage appointments and access medical records using BankID. The hospital has not publicly responded to requests for comment regarding systemic changes implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
