25.09.2020
The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region issued an opinion on the health and social services legislation under preparation
In the draft law, social and health services will be transferred from the responsibility for organising municipalities to the health and social services counties. The health and social services reform creates the conditions for improving equal access to social and health care services, but this must not mean that the differences in the service needs of different municipalities and their residents are not recognised and that services cannot be targeted according to the service needs. From the point of view of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, the objectives of the rescue services reform are also worth supporting, states the opinion of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region on the proposal for organising social welfare, health care and rescue services. The the Board of the Regional Assembly discussed the opinion at its meeting on 14 September 2020.
Co-operation between municipalities and services that meet the needs of the region must be ensured
In the view of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, special attention should be paid to ensuring cooperation between the municipality and the health and social services county in order to secure functional cooperation structures and operating models in shared customer surface services. In the opinion of the Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia, the restrictions set out in the draft act significantly weaken the possibilities of the region of social and health care to develop services and production structures that meet the needs of its residents and regions. At the same time as strengthening the role of the organiser by increasing their size, the possibilities for the health and social services counties to use the organiser's power and know-how are restricted.
The long-term financing model must be solved credibly
The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region considers that the comprehensive nature of state funding in the counties is, in principle, the right solution. The guidance given by the ministries to the health and social services county is too close to that given by the state to its own agencies. The problem in cooperation in cooperation with the financing model may be the ability of the counties to prepare for the financing needs of future investments. A more precise definition is needed on how to ensure the adequacy of funding in regions in cooperation in cooperation with large investments, such as the Future Hospital to be built in Northern Ostrobothnia.
In the view of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, the criteria and weights of funding require critical consideration before they are applied as the basis for funding in the counties.
The weakened municipal economy and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on reforms should be taken into account. The proposal will have a negative impact on the financial position and investment capacity of municipalities. The economic impact on individual municipalities is too great, the changes are even greater in the long run. The reform must not have an impact on the balance of the finances of the remaining municipality.
Additional information: Pauli Harju, Regional Director, tel. +358 400 389 152
Statement by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
