Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) is set to embark on a series of extensive employee negotiations in a bid to achieve €50 million in savings for its 2025 budget. This decision, approved by the HUS governing board, comes in response to a significant financial adjustment requirement to balance the budget, totaling €140 million.
All 28,000 HUS employees will be involved in the negotiations, with the potential for up to 990 full-time positions to be reduced. Despite these cuts, the board has prioritized the maintenance of patient safety throughout the process.
Furthermore, HUS management has been tasked with engaging in discussions with the Uusimaa welfare regions and the city of Helsinki to realign the 2025 budget framework with previous proposals. They are also seeking government assistance, including special funding to reduce treatment queues and independent university hospital funding.
In a related move, HUS will transfer operations at its Raasepori and Lahti facilities to local welfare regions from January 1, 2025. This restructuring plan has generated political discourse, with MP Johan Kvarnström highlighting the underfunding of healthcare and advocating for immediate solutions to address the financial challenges.
The upcoming HUS board meeting on September 2, 2024, is expected to delve deeper into the 2025 budget discussions and related financial strategies.