Negotiations begin for Oulaskanka Hospital employees in Oulais, Finland

The North Ostrobothnia Welfare Area is set to initiate employee negotiations affecting the Oulaskanka Hospital in Oulais. These discussions, which will involve up to 250 individuals, are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, November 5. The priority will be to offer employees similar work in line with their employment contracts. If such positions are unavailable, alternative roles that align with their training, skills, or experience may be proposed. In cases where no suitable work is found or an employee declines an offer, it could result in termination of employment, as noted in a statement from Pohde.

The proposal for negotiations was released today, with the regional council expressing a desire for Oulaskanka staff to engage in the adaptation and development of new job descriptions. Furthermore, the initiative includes a request for a separate report on the redeployment of Oulaskanka staff to be presented to the regional council by spring 2025.

The background for these negotiations stems from the Finnish government’s framework discussions regarding the hospital network, changes in hospital functions, and upcoming healthcare legislation. A proposal for reforming the hospital network was submitted to parliament on October 3, 2024.

On Tuesday, the regional council made key decisions regarding Oulaskanka operations, confirming that day surgery and short-stay surgical functions will continue at the hospital, along with specialized outpatient care and dialysis services. However, comprehensive 24/7 emergency and surgical ward services will cease, leading to the termination of related ward activities in internal medicine, surgery, and anesthesiology.

The council also unanimously advocated for the continuation of 24/7 emergency services, urging changes during the parliamentary committee process to allow basic healthcare nighttime emergency services at Oulaskanka. A special permit from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is still awaited for the continuation of these services, which, if granted, would come into effect in April 2025. If denied, only urgent daytime care will remain available until 10 PM on weekdays and weekends.