Access to non-urgent specialist care improves across most Finnish well-being regions

Access to non-urgent specialist medical care has improved in most of Finland’s well-being regions, according to the Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority (Valvira).

The authority had ordered ten regions and the HUS hospital district in late 2025 to bring waiting times for non-urgent specialist care in line with legal requirements by the end of April 2026. The regions included Kainuu, Kanta-Häme, Central Finland, North Karelia, North Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Savo, Päijät-Häme, Satakunta, and Southwest Finland.

Most regions met the deadline, with North Ostrobothnia reporting that all patients under 23 now access psychiatric specialist care within the three-month target. However, Central Finland, North Karelia, and HUS have yet to fully comply.

While these regions have reduced waiting lists, some patients still face delays exceeding six months. In Central Finland, the number of patients waiting over six months dropped from 1,900 in August 2025 to under 500 by April 2026.

Valvira is now considering fines for the three non-compliant regions, though at reduced amounts due to progress. Proposed fines are €3 million for HUS (down from €8.5 million), €650,000 for Central Finland (down from €2 million), and €550,000 for North Karelia (down from €2 million). The regions have until 15 October to submit further clarifications before any penalties are imposed.

Additionally, the Ostrobothnia well-being region has been placed under supervision for its specialist care access, with a deadline of 15 October to provide a status report.