First in Finland: physician in private practice to provide public health services at own clinic
A physician working as an independent practitioner within the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County will begin seeing patients at the Karjalohja service point on 4 May. This is the first time in Finland that an independent practitioner will provide public health services from premises they operate themselves. This new operating model is the result of extensive preparation and has been developed in close cooperation with the physician.
“We want residents to be able to access care smoothly and close to home. The new service point is an excellent addition to our service network,” says Anu Mustakari-Ilovuori, Service Area Director.
The service point also supports the Wellbeing Services County’s strategic goal of ensuring that every resident of Western Uusimaa has an assigned doctor by 2029.
“We are very pleased to try out a new kind of operating model that complements our own health stations. The greatest thanks naturally go to the physician who has boldly joined us in building an entirely new model,” says Tommi Uimonen, Service Line Director responsible for the assigned GP model.
Services in Karjalohja will initially be provided by a team in which Mamurkhon Akrami will serve as both the independent practitioner and the area’s assigned GP. His work is supported by two nurses.
“Developing this new operating model has required extensive preparation, and for a long time it was uncertain whether the new service point would be able to open. We are now pleased to begin providing the health service to residents of Karjalohja and Sammatti,” says Akrami.
Akrami has leased the premises of the former health station for use as the service point from Karjalohja ry at Tallaantie 4, Karjalohja.
Access to care begins with first contact
The Karjalohja service point offers bookable appointments with both a physician and a nurse. Residents are asked to contact the service before booking an appointment:
- by phone at 09 476 36440, 8.00–16.00
- via the Lunna service(external link) (online or via the app)
- non-urgent messages: 24/7
- Chat available Mon–Fri, 8:00–16:00
The Karjalohja service point handles non-urgent matters for residents of Karjalohja and Sammatti and, where possible, urgent cases as well.
Urgent care is also available at the urgent care clinic at Lohja Hospital, Monday to Friday, 8.00–16.00. From 6 May onwards, the clinic will be open daily, 8.00–20.00.
Further information
Anu Mustakari-Ilovuori,
Service Area Director, Joint Health and Social Services