Labour shortages are felt in the services of the Päijät-Häme welfare region, and there are no quick solutions in sight.
As a pioneer, Päijät-Häme Welfare Region does not want to be left behind in terms of state funding.
The Päijät-Häme Welfare Union, which started in 2017, was created for social welfare services, while many regions are doing similar work in welfare regions that have only just started due to the social welfare reform at the beginning of the year.
Päijät-Häme is now raising the issue of funding with the ministries and parliamentary candidates.
This year, the welfare area’s budget has been drawn up with a deficit of around 12 million euros, which means it spends more money than is available for operations. In total, the spending of the welfare area is about 950 million euros.
The corona pandemic has brought a medical debt to the services, which is now being tried to be discharged.
The welfare area is responsible for organizing social security and rescue services. There are more than 7,600 employees in the Päijät-Häme welfare area.
Melting the labour shortage takes time
Welfare regional director Petri Virolainen says that the labor shortage makes it difficult to pay off the care debt and is reflected in the services.
– We have closed wards due to the lack of nursing staff. Care centers have been closed for the same reason. You also have to wait in line for many services.
Petri Virolainen and the chairman of the regional board of the welfare area Kristiina Hämäläinen (coordinator) tell how the labor shortage problems are going to be solved.