erikoissairaanhoidon
Erikoissairaanhoito, or specialized medical care, is the segment of the Finnish health system that provides hospital-based and other advanced medical services beyond the scope of primary health care. It includes inpatient hospital care, specialized outpatient clinics, high‑level diagnostic procedures, and treatments such as cancer care, cardiac care, neurology, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, anesthesia, and intensive care.
Erikoissairaanhoito is organized mainly by hospital districts (sairaanhoitopiirit). Municipalities are members of a hospital district and
Access to erikoissairaanhoito generally follows referral from primary health care; emergency cases are routed through hospital
Policy aims include ensuring equal access across regions, reducing waiting times, and integrating services with primary