Daughter sought urgent care for father in Oulu but was denied due to residency

A 71-year-old man from Turku was repeatedly denied emergency care in Oulu despite his deteriorating condition, as his official residence is in Turku, according to a report by Yle.

Pekka Heikkilä, who has severe osteoarthritis in his right hip, was visiting his daughter Eeva Heikkilä in Oulu when his health rapidly declined. His daughter noticed significant changes in his mobility, vision, and cognitive function, and attempted to take him to multiple health centers in Oulu.

Each time, staff determined he did not require emergency treatment and directed him to seek care in his home municipality of Turku. No doctor examined him during these visits.

Unable to transport her father to Turku and concerned about his fitness to travel, Eeva Heikkilä eventually took him to a private clinic. There, a doctor referred him to Oulu University Hospital’s emergency department for blood tests and an MRI.

Scans revealed age-related changes suggesting possible dementia, as well as brain hemorrhages likely caused by falls in which he had struck his head.

The Pohde well-being services county, which oversees Oulu, declined to comment on the specific case but stated that emergency care must be provided regardless of a patient’s municipality of residence. A spokesperson added that non-urgent treatment may be arranged in the area where a patient is staying if the visit is prolonged.

Finnish law requires emergency care to be given wherever a patient needs it, irrespective of their home municipality. Non-urgent care can be accessed outside one’s home region through the national freedom of choice system, with current rules allowing a change of health center once per year. A proposed amendment under parliamentary review would permit such changes every three months.