Frequently asked questions about the Western Uusimaa wellbeing services county
On this page, we will compile answers to the questions most frequently asked by our residents and partners.
Questions about local services and the opportunity to choose the services
Within the wellbeing services county, the services will not be tied to the borders of municipalities. However, we will not yet have such a flexible situation at the start, due to practical reasons. We will look into this matter.
Even now, you are entitled to choose to receive healthcare services in another municipality. The choice remains valid for a year, at the minimum. At the start of 2023, we will still be using various customer and patient data systems. Because of this, the health stations, for example, will initially be unable to offer a complete freedom of choice. In the future, a shared patient data system may allow for new opportunities. Regardless, urgent care will be provided by all health stations.
The joint emergency services will remain as they are, at the hospital campuses of Jorvi and Lohja.
Questions about organising the services
In Finland, the diagnostics and treatment of rare illnesses are centralised within specialised healthcare (HUS). The health and social services reform will not affect this distribution of responsibilities. The services for persons with rare illnesses will remain as they are.
The wellbeing services county will have better opportunities for maintaining specialised competencies than the municipalities alone. In the long term, it may be possible that some specialised healthcare services can be received more extensively via basic healthcare.
The service vouchers will remain an option for the acquisition of the wellbeing services county’s services. The county council and county board will decide on the use of the service vouchers at a later date.
The multi-provider model refers to private operators participating in the production of services. In Western Uusimaa, an intensive multi-provider model will continue. No rapid changes will be made to the service production structure.
Question: If a client does not receive treatment within the maximum waiting time guarantee, how will the Wellbeing Services County compensate the client for this? Will the client receive a free ticket to private medical services, monetary compensation, etc. from the Wellbeing Services County for the neglect of their care?
Answer: The aim is that the maximum waiting time guarantee will not be exceeded. The realisation of access to care is monitored by supervisory authorities. In some services, it is possible to issue service vouchers if the services are congested.
A resident of a wellbeing services county has the option to choose any of the health centres in their county as their own health centre. This means that all non-urgent services will be provided at this same centre. In case of an emergency, you can still go to your closest health centre.
The Helsinki University Hospital will continue to provide the special medical services as well as emergency services outside business hours in West Uusimaa. The cooperation with HUS will become closer to ensure smoother treatment paths in the future.