Christoffer
Hällfors

It is clear that Porvoo Hospital is currently not fully accessible to all of East Uusimaa, and it would be more accessible in Kungsporten. Additionally, we see that the current hospital buildings are becoming worn out, and it is time for new, purpose-built facilities for healthcare in East Uusimaa – with Kungsporten being at the center of the region.

Abortions are expensive, and according to THL research, the best way to prevent abortions or unwanted pregnancies is through prevention. Unwanted or unplanned pregnancies can also be costly for society.

We need basic healthcare services throughout the wellbeing services county, and that is why it is crucial to maintain health centers also in our small municipalities. It is not cheaper for society if people have to drive long distances when they are sick to receive care.

Mobile services can make healthcare more accessible and serve as a good complement for those who can use them. It is not always possible for everyone, but if we can provide care this way, it is more efficient both for the patient and for the region.

It is a difficult decision to allocate fewer resources to other types of care, but we must increase investments in preventive care. By focusing on preventive care, we can reduce the need for the most expensive treatments as people generally stay healthier.

We need to return to a personal doctor system – or rather, a team of doctors and nurses who take care of patients. This may sometimes place more demands on the system, but in the long run, when medical teams get to know their patients and their individual healthcare needs, it creates a safer and better healthcare system. Anonymous and unfamiliar caregivers do not provide a sense of security in healthcare.

I understand the problem with hired doctors, and it would be easy to say that we should ban their use. However, considering the shortage of doctors in the region and in general, I don’t believe we could manage without them. We could perhaps try to gradually phase out hired doctors, but this would require determined efforts, goal-oriented management, and careful workforce planning to achieve the desired outcome. At present, the private sector offers doctors a much better opportunity to plan their daily lives, making it understandable why they choose private practice over the public sector, where work management is, to say the least, inadequate.

I hope that the number of shelter places in East Uusimaa is sufficient, and if more are needed, we must of course ensure they are provided. These shelters are vital for individuals experiencing violence.

Long healthcare queues are a major issue in the wellbeing services county, and we must use all available tools to reduce them. Service vouchers allow residents to access private healthcare providers when public healthcare has long waiting times. By increasing the use of service vouchers, we can ensure that more people receive timely care, improving both individual well-being and reducing the burden on public healthcare. It is a flexible solution that combines accessibility with patient choice.

There are other ways to save money and improve the quality of care than by centralizing healthcare. Excessive centralization can make healthcare less accessible, especially in smaller municipalities, which may lead to inequalities in access to care. Instead, we should focus on developing and optimizing local healthcare services, utilizing digital solutions, and strengthening cooperation between different healthcare providers. Healthcare should be close to people and accessible to everyone, not just concentrated in large units.

We must work to influence the state authorities so that our region receives its fair share of resources, considering the specific risks we face – such as the Hästholmen nuclear power plant, the Sköldvik refinery, Bastukärret logistics concentration and two major highways that place high demands on emergency preparedness. In recent years, we have made significant investments in emergency services, including the renewal of several fire stations, which is a positive development. Now, we must focus on maintaining preparedness, but unfortunately, there are no extra resources to reallocate from other sectors. Therefore, the necessary funding must be found within the emergency services\\\' own budget.

It poses a significant risk to society as a whole if we leave people without healthcare. Furthermore, it will ultimately be more expensive if they are forced to seek emergency care for conditions that could have been treated earlier. Healthcare exists to care for the sick, and this should apply to everyone – regardless of their status.

It is important for healthcare personnel to have knowledge of gender diversity and sexual diversity, particularly to ensure that patients belonging to these minorities receive professional and respectful treatment. At the same time, we must prioritize resources carefully, especially when healthcare services are already under pressure. If resources are limited, they should primarily be allocated to ensuring essential and urgent care for all patients. Training on these topics is valuable, but it should not come at the expense of core healthcare services.