Soteuudistus

Soteuudistus, or the social and health care reform, is a significant overhaul of Finland's social and health care services. The reform aims to improve the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of services by transferring the responsibility of organising health and social services from municipalities to larger, regional entities called wellbeing services counties (hyvinvointialueet). This reform is a response to the challenges posed by an aging population, increasing service demands, and the need for more efficient use of resources.

The soteuudistus was approved by the Finnish Parliament in 2018 and is being implemented in phases, with the goal of full implementation by 2023. The reform involves the establishment of 21 wellbeing services counties, which will be responsible for organising and providing health and social services for their residents. These counties will replace the current system where municipalities have the primary responsibility for these services.

One of the key objectives of the soteuudistus is to ensure that all residents have equal access to high-quality services, regardless of their place of residence. The reform also aims to promote the integration of health and social services, which are currently often provided separately. This integration is expected to lead to more holistic and coordinated care, particularly for those with complex needs.

The soteuudistus also introduces changes in funding. The wellbeing services counties will be primarily funded by the state, with additional funding from municipalities and service users. This funding model is designed to ensure more equitable distribution of resources and to reduce disparities between different regions.

The reform has been a topic of extensive debate in Finland, with supporters highlighting the need for modernisation and critics expressing concerns about the potential loss of local control and the challenges of implementation. Despite these debates, the soteuudistus represents a significant step in the evolution of Finland's social and health care system.