Assessment group proposes five centres and deep cuts in South Ostrobothnia

An assessment group has proposed reducing South Ostrobothnia’s social and health centres from eight to five and making extensive cuts to services. Yle reports that local decision-makers are expected to consider the proposals alongside the region’s budget.

The five centres would be in Kauhajoki, Seinäjoki, Kauhava, Alajärvi and Alavus. Services in Lapua and Ilmajoki would move to Seinäjoki, closing both towns’ centres. The Ilmajoki move would happen by 2030 at the latest; no timetable has been specified for Lapua.

Kurikka’s centre would be downgraded to a social and health station. Services at the Ähtäri station would end once the centre planned for Alavus is completed.

Changes to older people’s housing services

The group proposes closing communal housing units in Teuva and Evijärvi. It also proposes closing or restructuring 24-hour residential care units in Lehtimäki, Nurmo, Peräseinäjoki, Evijärvi, Kauhava and Kuortane.

Operations at Wilhelmiina in Lehtimäki and Onnela in Nurmo would end. Teponkartano in Nurmo could be outsourced, while Peräseinäjoki’s Apilakoti and Koivukaari units would be combined. Kaislahovi in Evijärvi would be merged with the Venla and Väinökoti units in Vimpeli.

Services at Helmitupa in Kauhava and Tupasvilla in Kortesjärvi would move to a new unit in Kauhava. The Kanervakoti wing at Kuismankartano in Kuortane would close.

Short-term residential care at Päkintupa in Evijärvi and Vire in Vimpeli would move to Kortesjärvi. The group also proposes a large hybrid care unit in Kauhava, which would receive residents from other units in the town and from Pihlajapirtti in Evijärvi.

New large units are planned for Seinäjoki, Kauhava and Kurikka. In Kurikka, a new hybrid unit would eventually take over the services of Reininkulma and Henriikkakoti in Teuva. In Seinäjoki, a unit is planned for Simunanranta, along with a hybrid unit to replace Myllyranta and Niittykoti and Könninkoto in Ilmajoki.

Other services would be concentrated

Laboratory services would be concentrated at the five centres and the Kurikka station. X-ray services would end in Lapua and Ilmajoki. Lapua would retain nurse appointments, mental health and addiction services, and social work.

Dental services would remain at the five centres, the Kurikka station, and dental clinics in Lapua and Ilmajoki. Maternity and child health clinic services would be concentrated at the five centres and the Kurikka station, although they would continue in Ilmajoki and Ähtäri during the reorganisation.

The proposals were presented to wellbeing services county staff on Wednesday.