Kouvola to maintain emergency services while Jämsä, Raahe, Iisalmi, and Varkaus discontinue nighttime care

Kouvola will continue its 24-hour emergency services, while nighttime emergency services will be terminated in Jämsä, Raahe, Iisalmi, and Varkaus by the end of 2025. The decision made during the government’s spring deliberations to discontinue nighttime emergency care, particularly at the Ratamo Center in Kouvola, has faced criticism.

Kimmo Salmio, the chief physician for acute services in the Kymenlaakso welfare district, expressed relief for the residents, emphasizing the importance of being able to treat patients with brain hemorrhages at Ratamo during nighttime. He noted that this was a key concern.

There will be changes: moving forward, Ratamo will have only one doctor on duty at night instead of the current two. According to Salmio, if the evening proves to be particularly hectic, the doctor may need to work overtime, which he believes is an acceptable situation. However, if patient wait times threaten safety, adjustments will need to be made.

More complex patients will be transported to the Kymenlaakso Central Hospital in Kotka at night. Salmio mentioned that this transfer is already taking place. Currently, ambulances only bring suspected stroke patients to Ratamo’s nighttime emergency service, who can continue to receive care at the facility.

Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.