Care equipment services

To treat certain long-term illnesses at home, care equipment is needed. Said equipment is distributed through care equipment distribution. Distributable care equipment includes: stoma, wound care, diabetes, catheterisation and dialysis equipment. Diapers are also available for persons with moderately or severely impaired urinary or faecal continence. Care equipment distribution promotes home care and monitoring of long-term illnesses as well as improves the prerequisites for self-care, the ability to work and function and the quality of life. Care equipment distribution also includes an overall assessment of the treatment by a health care professional, and it is part of the patient's overall care, including medical guidance as well as individual counselling and, if necessary, a home visit. Patients should be aware of and understand the use and meaning of treatment-related equipment. In connection with the care equipment distribution, the patient's family members, relatives and informal carers should be instructed, if necessary, and the patient's personal responsibility for the proper use of the care equipment should be emphasised. Access to care equipment always requires an evaluation and assessment of the need. The assessment is carried out either by a physician or a health care professional. As a rule, the prerequisite is that the illness is long-term, that is, that it lasts more than three months. As per the agreement, you can collect care equipment from your own health centre or get it delivered home. Some pieces of care equipment are also distributed in connection with treatment at home.

Conditions for receiving the Service

As per the Health Care Act, the well-being services county shall provide its residents with access to medical care services. Medical care services include care equipment prescribed in treatment plans for managing chronic illnesses. In addition, care equipment prescribed in treatment plans that are provided in connection with home nursing and at-home hospital care are included in the treatment. The distribution of care equipment for managing chronic illnesses shall always be based on individually determined needs and an assessment and follow-up carried out by a health care professional. Care equipment distribution is based on a chronic illness that has been diagnosed on medical grounds and that has lasted at least three months. However, it should be taken into account that, for example, patients with diabetes or ones undergoing dialysis need care equipment immediately after the illness has been diagnosed. The decision on providing care equipment is made by a physician or health care professional.

The service is free of charge.