Health services for Helsinki residents during the nurses unions’ strike

The nurses unions’ strike that started on April 1st, 2022 does not apply to employees of the City of Helsinki.
Terveysaseman henkilökuntaa.

20.4.2022: Notice! The second phase of the nurses unions’ strike is cancelled.

The nurses unions’ strike that started on April 1st, 2022 does not apply to employees of the City of Helsinki. For example, health stations, maternity and child health clinics, other health services, corona vaccination points and the Medical Helpline 116117 will continue to operate as usual. The strike will impact laboratory tests, medical imaging examinations and specialised medical care provided by HUS.

Many services remain open as usual

  • Health stations will continue to operate as usual. In addition, telephone and digital services (www.maisa.fi(Link leads to external service)) will function normally. During opening hours, you may also visit health stations in person. See the contact information for the City’s health stations here: www.hel.fi/healthstations
  • Omaolo.fi functions as usual.
  • The Medical Helpline works normally in Helsinki and is open 24/7, tel. 116117. Emergency departments in Meilahti and Malmi will only tend to patients in need of urgent care.
  • The telephone health service is open for Helsinki residents 24/7, tel. 09 310 10023.
  • Maternity and child health clinics are operating as usual.
  • School health care is available as usual.
  • Dental and oral healthcare services, including appointment booking, operate as usual. Some appointments have been cancelled due to the ban on overtime and shift swaps. Emergency dental care continues to operate as usual. www.hel.fi/dentalcare
  • Psychiatric services in psychiatric and substance abuse centres and in Aurora Hospital are available as usual. Access to psychiatric services provided by HUS is expected to be more difficult than usual.
  • Helsinki City Hospitals in Laakso, Malmi and Suursuo in addition to the Herttoniemi Reserve Hospital operate close to normal. The strike might affect patient transfers, laboratory tests and medical imaging examinations.

Corona vaccinations continue, exceptions in corona testing

Exceptions to laboratory tests and medical screenings, cervical cancer screenings, emergency services and specialised medical care

  • Due to the strike, almost all the laboratory and medical screening services will be closed. Patients referred for X-ray examinations of the bones, chest, or teeth are kindly requested to seek care once the strike is over.
  • All appointments for cervical cancer screenings will be cancelled and can be rescheduled once the strike is over. Separate notifications on appointment cancellations will not be sent out.
  • Emergency departments in Meilahti and Malmi will only tend to patients in need of urgent care. Crowding is to be expected.
  • The strike will also have an impact the specialised medical care provided for Helsinki residents.
  • Find detailed information on the strike’s impact on the services provided by HUS: www.hus.fi/en/strike(Link leads to external service)