The Health Care Act of Finland No. 1326/2010, issued in Helsinki on 30 December 2010, provides a comprehensive legal framework for organizing and delivering health care services, ensuring that all residents have equitable access to high-quality health care. The Act emphasizes the principles of equity, accessibility, quality, and collaboration, aiming to improve the overall health and well-being of the population.
The Act has the following objectives stated in the text of the law:
1) promote and maintain the population’s health and welfare, work ability and functional capacity, and social security;
2) reduce health inequalities between different population groups;
3) ensure universal access to the services required by the population and improve quality and patient safety;
4) promote client-orientation in the provision of health care services; and
5) improve the operating conditions of primary health care and strengthen cooperation between health care providers, between local authority departments, and with other parties in health and welfare promotion and the provision of social services and health care.
The Act mandates universal access to health care services, covering primary, specialized, and highly specialized medical care. Local authorities are responsible for promoting public health, reducing health inequalities, and providing preventive services such as screenings, counseling, and health checks. Patients have the right to choose their health care providers within and beyond their municipality, with services available in Finnish, Swedish, or Sámi, as well as other Nordic languages when necessary.
To ensure safety and efficiency, the Act requires health care providers to deliver evidence-based, high-quality treatments and to develop quality management and patient safety plans. It also highlights the importance of specialized services, including mental health care, substance abuse treatment, occupational health care, student health services, maternity care, and rehabilitation programs. Emergency care is prioritized, with 24/7 access guaranteed to all residents, regardless of their place of residence.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of the Act, requiring coordination between primary health care, specialized care, social services, and other sectors to ensure seamless service delivery. The Act also supports education and research by promoting medical training and university-level health research, particularly in university hospitals. Additionally, it underscores the importance of preparedness by mandating contingency planning for regional and national emergencies.
The full document is available here.
