Hyvinvointialueella

Hyvinvointialueella is a Finnish term referring to a wellbeing services county. These were established in Finland as part of a major reform of social and healthcare services, which came into effect on January 1, 2023. The primary purpose of wellbeing services counties is to organize and provide social and health services, as well as rescue services, to the residents within their designated geographical area.

Finland was divided into 21 wellbeing services counties, each responsible for the services of its inhabitants. This reform aimed to ensure more equitable access to services across the country, promote the integration of health and social services, and improve the efficiency and quality of these essential public services. The financing of wellbeing services counties comes primarily from state funding and local taxes.

The establishment of wellbeing services counties marked a significant decentralization of responsibilities from municipalities to these new regional authorities. This change impacts how citizens access healthcare, social welfare, and emergency response services. The reform also includes the transfer of certain responsibilities from the previous hospital districts and specialized healthcare providers to the wellbeing services counties. The aim is to create a more unified and responsive service system for all residents.