Kymenlaakso plans to close Pyhtää health station and child health clinic

Kymenlaakso Wellbeing Services County plans to close Pyhtää’s health station and child health clinic as part of savings measures, Yle reports. The closures could send families to Kotka, nearly 20 kilometres away.

Otto Vainio heard the news on Thursday while bringing his two- and four-year-old sons to a family group organised by Pyhtää parish. He said the children had been able to get appointments at the local clinic easily, sometimes on the same day.

“The closures will make it harder to manage everyday family life,” Vainio said. He moved to Pyhtää from Kotka a couple of years ago.

Heidi Toivonen, who also moved from Kotka, said accessible family services had been one reason she chose Pyhtää. She has been able to cycle to the clinic and said the closure plans were sad news.

The wellbeing services county said on Wednesday that negotiations over savings had concluded. It needs to save about 40 million euros in total.

Pyhtää municipal manager Terhi Lindholm said local services had been an important reason for people to move to the municipality, according to resident surveys. The municipality is prepared to explore options if the closures go ahead, including bringing in private service providers. It owns the health station building and is discussing possibilities with providers.

Wellbeing services county director Kari Hakari said decisions on the measures would proceed at different speeds. Most are expected to be made by the end of the year, but the closures in Pyhtää are likely to be confirmed early next year.