Kemi maternity services face uncertain future despite court ruling against centralization in Rovaniemi
Maternity services at the Central Hospital of Western Bothnia in Kemi are unlikely to continue despite a recent court ruling. The Northern Finland Administrative Court last Thursday issued a preliminary ruling prohibiting the centralization of maternity services to Rovaniemi. This ban applies to the implementation of a decision made by the Lapland Welfare Area in April, which triggered appeals to the administrative court.
The winding down of maternity services in Kemi has already been planned by both the Lapland Welfare Area and Mehiläinen Western Bothnia. The regional government will address the appeals against the termination of Kemi’s maternity services in their next meeting in mid-August, with the issue expected to be brought before the regional council in October.
According to Tapani Melaluoto, the Chairman of the Regional Government, preparations are underway to re-evaluate the service reform, taking into account potential objections to the decisions made. This is to ensure that essential decisions about service network renewal and economic adjustment become legally binding.
Melaluoto expects the regional council to make a similar decision as in the spring, centralizing maternity services in Rovaniemi and terminating them in Kemi by October. He cites financial difficulties and pressures to adjust the economy of the welfare area as the reasons.
However, bureaucracy could delay the process in the administrative court. The prohibition will remain in effect until the appeal is processed which could take months or even a year. Meanwhile, maternity services in Kemi might end due to lack of staff and on-call services. Mehiläinen Western Bothnia has already begun negotiations for change and the staff may be planning new careers.
Regardless, maternity services in Kemi will cease by the end of 2025 at the latest, unless significant changes occur. This is due to the Finnish government’s decision in April to end maternity care in Kemi after the expiration of the granted exception at the end of 2025.
The management of the Lapland welfare area justifies ending Kemi’s maternity services this year due to patient safety. They state that the provision of birthing services requires on-call services in pediatrics, gynecology, and anesthesiology. The possibility of continuing birthing services in Western Bothnia will be carefully evaluated from a patient safety perspective.
The uncertainty of the future of maternity services in Kemi is regrettable, says Jari Jokela, director of the Lapland welfare area. The management aims to continue maternity services at Western Bothnia Central Hospital in Kemi until the end of this year.