Kanta-Häme cuts services and jobs as deficit deadline looms

Kanta-Häme wellbeing services county has closed health stations, cut jobs and saved tens of millions of euros, but it still faces an 85 million euro deficit, Yle reports.

The Finnish Ministry of Finance has so far granted extensions for covering accumulated deficits to three wellbeing services counties: Kanta-Häme, Ostrobothnia and South Savo. Fourteen counties had applied for an extension by the end of August.

Kanta-Häme, also known as Oma Häme, is expected to post a surplus for the second consecutive year. Based on the first eight months, the surplus is currently estimated at 10 million euros, below the county’s target. The move to the new Assi hospital last spring has contributed to the weaker result.

The surplus would need to reach 35 million euros this year to keep the county’s finances on track. Oma Häme must cover its accumulated deficit of 85 million euros by the end of 2029.

The Ministry of Finance says the growth in Oma Häme’s net costs was below the national average last year and the year before. Wellbeing services county director Olli Naukkarinen says the county’s cost growth was the second lowest in the country.

Changes affect residents directly

Oma Häme has sought savings by restructuring its service network, improving efficiency, expanding digital services and reducing staff. The aim is to reduce expensive services and strengthen preventive care.

The changes include reducing round the clock care for older people and increasing home care. Families with children have criticised the closure of child health clinics.

In September, the health stations in the Idänpää and Ojoinen districts of Hämeenlinna will move to Viipurintie, near the city centre. The current Idänpää health station will close at its present location.

Health centre physician Ruut Karjalainen, who works at the Idänpää station, says staff would prefer to remain there if that were an option. However, she says it is better to save money on buildings than on people and services. The Viipurintie station is a couple of kilometres from Idänpää.

The extension granted by the Ministry of Finance has eased Oma Häme’s situation. Financial director Sampo Salo says it gives the county more time to assess its options and make decisions carefully. He adds that covering the old deficits will remain difficult and will require close monitoring and further adjustments.

According to the Ministry of Finance, nine applications for extensions are still being processed, with further decisions expected in September. Helsinki and the West Uusimaa wellbeing services county are currently the only areas without accumulated deficits. Pirkanmaa and Vantaa and Kerava are expected to eliminate their deficits this year if their financial forecasts hold.

South Karelia and Kymenlaakso were denied extensions during the summer and were also placed under an assessment procedure, alongside South Ostrobothnia. Central Finland, Lapland and East Uusimaa entered the assessment procedure more than a year ago.