Wellbeing services counties of Finland

Administrative divisions in Finland

The wellbeing services counties of Finland (Finnish: hyvinvointialueet) are a new administrative division in Finland, established to organize and manage healthcare, social services, and rescue services. These counties were created as part of a significant reform in the Finnish social and healthcare system, which came into effect on January 1, 2023.

History

The reform to establish wellbeing services counties was initiated to address the challenges faced by Finland's healthcare and social services system, including an aging population, regional disparities in service availability, and the need for more efficient resource allocation. The Finnish government aimed to centralize the administration of these services to improve their quality and accessibility across the country.

Structure

The wellbeing services counties are responsible for providing healthcare, social services, and rescue services to their respective populations. Each county is governed by a county council, which is elected by the residents of the county. The councils have the authority to make decisions regarding the organization and provision of services within their jurisdiction.

Map of the wellbeing services counties in Finland

List of Wellbeing Services Counties

There are 21 wellbeing services counties in Finland, along with the autonomous region of Åland, which manages its own healthcare and social services. The counties are:

• Uusimaa
• Southwest Finland
• Satakunta
• Kanta-Häme
• Pirkanmaa
• Päijät-Häme
• Kymenlaakso
• South Karelia
• South Savo
• North Savo
• North Karelia
• Central Finland
• South Ostrobothnia
• Ostrobothnia
• Central Ostrobothnia
• North Ostrobothnia
• Kainuu
• Lapland
• Åland

Functions

The primary functions of the wellbeing services counties include:

• Healthcare Services: Providing primary, specialized, and emergency healthcare services to residents.
• Social Services: Offering support and services for families, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
• Rescue Services: Managing fire and rescue operations, as well as emergency preparedness and response.

Governance

Each wellbeing services county is governed by a county council, which is responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, and oversight of service delivery. The councils work in collaboration with local municipalities and other stakeholders to ensure that services meet the needs of the population.

Challenges and Opportunities

The establishment of wellbeing services counties presents both challenges and opportunities. Challenges include ensuring equitable access to services across diverse regions and managing the transition from municipal to county-level administration. Opportunities include the potential for more efficient service delivery and improved health outcomes for the population.

Related pages

• Healthcare in Finland
• Social services in Finland
• Administrative divisions of Finland