The Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS), which is responsible for Uusimaa's specialised health care, is to start lay-off talks as it looks to trim the payroll by nearly a thousand person-years.
At the moment, HUS is already undergoing extensive adjustment measures and a recruitment freeze.
According to HUS, up to 28,000 people — essentially the healthcare organisation's entire workforce — are affected by the negotiations between management and unions. The talks will mean a reduction of up to around 990 person-years in the HUS staff.
A HUS press release stated that these the adjustment measures may include, for example, redundancies and part-time work. Alternatives could also include not filling posts, changing job descriptions and more careful evaluation of fixed-term contracts.
According to HUS, there may also be effects on the place of work, working hours or pay for employees.
Finland's National Supervisory Authority for Health and Welfare (Valvira) has issued an order to HUS and the fourteen welfare regions to bring access to non-urgent specialist care into line with the law by 31 March 2025 at the latest.
According to HUS, the adjustment measures are primarily aimed at non-urgent patient care.
HUS aims for big savings
HUS expects the full-year's balance sheet to be worse than initially forecasted. The current estimate for 2024 is a deficit of around 70 million euros.
According to the release, the fiscal-year 2024 budget was estimated to have a 38.6 million euro deficit based on January-March. However, the operating budget for the first half of the year is already 34.6 million euros in the red.
According to HUS, the need for financial adjustment in 2025 will be around 140 million euros. HUS is aiming for savings of around 50 million euros.
"The budget framework for 2025 and its need for adjustments of around 140 million euros leave us no choice. Unfortunately, savings must now also be sought extensively from staff," said Jari Finnilä, CFO, in a press release.
In June, HUS said it had decided to cut its 2025 budget by 43 million euros. Before the decision, the need for adjustment was already 55 million euros. According to HUS, the 2024 deficit will also have to be covered in 2025.
The Executive of the Joint Authority for HUS will meet on 19 August to discuss adjusting the budget for the coming years. Negotiations should be concluded by the end of October.
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