Savonlinna and Kemi file complaint against hospital law affecting healthcare services

The city councils of Savonlinna and Kemi are continuing their defense of their central hospitals by filing a complaint with the Chancellor of Justice regarding a recent hospital law. This decision was made by the Savonlinna City Council under the guidance of Mayor Janne Laine. At a meeting on Monday, it was agreed that the complaint would be submitted in collaboration with the city of Kemi, where around-the-clock specialized medical care at the local hospital is also at risk.

Residents of Savonlinna express concerns about the hospital law’s potential negative effects, particularly regarding the accessibility of basic healthcare rights if round-the-clock specialized services are cut. Such changes could complicate patient transport and might even threaten the future of nursing education in Savonlinna.

Laine emphasized that the proposed law change would not save money for either welfare area but rather increase costs, as major surgeries would need to be transferred to hospitals in Mikkeli and Rovaniemi, requiring further investments in facilities and ambulances. Additionally, the demand for healthcare services in South Savo significantly increases during the summer months due to a population surge.

The complaint also highlights a separate law passed in spring 2023, which allows two combined emergency hospitals in South Savo and Lapland to maintain round-the-clock specialized care. Local officials view the sudden changes as severe.

While Kemi is still deliberating whether to file a complaint, Mayor Matti Ruotsalainen stated he would advocate for it in the next city council meeting, underscoring the absence of impact assessment as a critical issue. Complaints to the Chancellor of Justice are rare and often yield limited results, yet both cities remain determined to explore all legal avenues to protect residents’ rights.