Lapland well-being region proposes cutting West Bothnia hospital services to day surgery only

The Lapland Regional Council has proposed that the regional assembly abandon its previous decision to maintain broader services at Kemi Hospital and instead accept the state evaluation group’s demands, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports.

Under the new proposal, West Bothnia Hospital would limit its surgical operations to day surgery only, ending round-the-clock anaesthesia emergency services by the end of 2026. The plan also centralises medical responsibility under a single chief physician for each specialty.

The council reversed its earlier stance after the Ministry of Finance filed a complaint with the administrative court, arguing that the regional assembly had exceeded its authority. The ministry claimed the original decision lacked sufficient justification, was financially unsustainable, and risked violating constitutional obligations to provide equal healthcare services.

Lapland Well-being Region Director Jari Jokela stated that the updated evaluation group proposal—while largely unchanged in content—includes broader reasoning. A key demand is the termination of anaesthesia emergency services by year’s end. If the regional assembly approves the new plan, the ministry’s complaint may be withdrawn, though Jokela noted that residents could still appeal the decision to the administrative court.

The regional assembly will make the final decision.