FSHS service units in seven towns will be relocated during the remainder of this year. Local services will then be provided at the FSHS’s own service unit in another town. In addition to local appointments, university students will be able to use the FSHS’s digital service channels as before.
The FSHS expanded its service network in 2021 to cover students at universities of applied sciences, doubling the number of clients. Since 2021 the FSHS has been monitoring the functionality of its service network and client numbers, and service unit changes are being implemented this year.
Five service unit changes were already made during the spring and summer. In October the FSHS announced eight further service unit changes. We’re now announcing service unit changes in a further seven towns.
In most cases the services concerned have been put out to tender and, as a result, will be offered at another service unit or at a new unit in the same town. Services have also been transferred to FSHS service units in other towns.
It’s now time to review the remaining partner services. The number of appointments in these partner-run units has been low, with as few as 20 students using the services per year. In addition to these partner services, students have used services at the FSHS’s own service units. Alongside local appointments, 72% of contacts currently take place via remote digital services. As remote studying is now more common, services are used in a different way.
General and mental health services in Lohja, Hyvinkää and Porvoo will be relocated to the FSHS service unit in Töölö, Helsinki, while these services in Salo, Pietarsaari and Alavus will be relocated to Turku, Kokkola and Seinäjoki, respectively. University students in Pieksämäki can use the FSHS’s own service unit in Jyväskylä, Mikkeli or Kuopio, whatever suits them best.
When making decisions about service unit changes, the FSHS will ensure that the distance between the university and the service unit does not exceed the maximum distance and travel time set by Kela. Kela, which is responsible for organising student healthcare, has approved the FSHS’s service network changes.
The FSHS has a total of 44 service units nationwide, and about half of them are partner units. Student healthcare services are provided by partners for only about 5% of university students.
