Guidance of wellbeing services counties

Steering of wellbeing services counties

The central government is responsible for steering the organisation of healthcare, social welfare and rescue services by the wellbeing services counties, HUS Group and the City of Helsinki. The objective is to ensure that the fundamental rights of residents are realised and that the funding al-located to the counties by the central government is sufficient to organise these services.  

The goal is to ensure the equal implementation of safe, effective and timely healthcare and social welfare services and the implementation of rescue services. Central government steering also en-sures the sustainability of general government finances and the efficient use of limited resources.  
 
Provisions on the steering of wellbeing services counties are laid down by law. Close exchange of information and views, the formation of shared operating pictures and effective dialogue between the Government and counties based on interaction are the key tools used to steer counties.

Central government steering is strategic

Central government steering is strategic, encompassing the activities and finances of the counties as a whole. National objectives for the functions of the counties are the foundation for central gov-ernment steering. The objectives concern the equal provision of services; the wellbeing, health and safety of the population; and financial sustainability.  

Central government steering encompasses legislative, resource and information guidance, both individually and in combination. Steering is also based on a uniform and comparable knowledge base and focuses on the organisation of the statutory duties of the wellbeing services counties. 

The steering of wellbeing services counties is a procedure that includes annually repeated stages. The key ministries responsible for central government steering (Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and Ministry of the Interior) hold annual negotiations with each county that cover the organisation of services, financial outcomes and the implementation of reforms. 
Negotiations with wellbeing services counties

Implementation of the cooperation agreements for collaborative areas for healthcare and social welfare is monitored and assessed annually in the negotiations between the Ministry of Social Af-fairs and Health and the counties of the collaborative area. The Ministry of Finance and the Minis-try of the Interior also participate in these negotiations.
collaborative areas - Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

The ministries and counties also engage in dialogue though the statutory Advisory Board for Well-being Services Counties. The purpose of the advisory board is to contribute to the implementation of strategic policies related to county activities and finances, the realisation of county self-government and cooperation among national and regional bodies 
Advisory Board for Wellbeing Services Counties

Steering is provided for investments made by counties in order to sustainably coordinate these in-vestments with the county funding and public finances in general. This ensures that investment projects are planned in accordance with the national objectives for the functions of the wellbeing services counties and that the counties do not make overlapping or otherwise unnecessary invest-ments. 
Steering of investments

In addition to annual steering measures, counties may become subject to individual measures:

• additional financing,
• proactive financial steering,
• an assessment procedure and
• a change of the boundaries of the counties.

Contact information
Antto Korhonen, Senior Ministerial Adviser  
The Department for Wellbeing Services Counties, 
Tel.+358 295 530 547  
Email: [email protected] 

Anna-Liisa Pasanen, Senior Ministerial Adviser
The Department for Wellbeing Services Counties, 
Tel. +358 295 530 023