Tehy warns of potential patient safety threats amid negotiations in South Savo, Finland

The professional organization Tehy warns that the outcome of the recent employee negotiations at the South Savo welfare region, Eloisa, poses a threat to patient safety. Following the negotiations, which concluded on Friday, 168 employees are at risk of being laid off, primarily affecting nursing assistants and registered nurses. Additionally, staff members are approaching retirement, and replacements are not guaranteed, effectively reducing the workforce by about 100 more individuals alongside the potential layoffs. Services for the elderly and health services are expected to face cuts.

Tehy’s negotiation manager, Juha Honkakoski, describes the potential layoffs as exceptionally large and alarming. He emphasizes that during the pandemic, essential caregivers were deemed indispensable, but they are now viewed as a wasteful expense that could undermine Finland’s economy.

Local union representatives Heikki Kauhanen and Ani Kannonmäki noted a grim yet unified atmosphere during discussions held on Monday, where employees expressed criticism toward the funding model of welfare regions and governmental budget cuts, rather than directed at the region’s management. Welfare region director Santeri Seppälä and personnel manager Petri Alaluusua received commendations from Tehy members for addressing the challenges of the welfare region in public discourse and considering employee organizations’ opinions in decision-making.

Tehy representatives join Seppälä in criticizing the unfairness of the funding model, stating that the welfare regions have not been given sufficient time to stabilize their operations. Kauhanen expressed confusion about the government’s intent to cut social and health services.

Following the negotiations, employees’ primary concern shifted to the future of patient care, highlighting the dedication of staff to their patients despite the uncertainty over job security. Kannonmäki mentioned that nurses are experiencing professional stress due to inadequate resources hindering their ability to perform optimally.