Who is this guide for?
This guide is for you if you need ordinary healthcare help, the situation is not an emergency, and you want to understand why the Health Centre is usually the first entry point.
In Finland, the role that many people know as a public outpatient clinic is usually handled by the Health Centre (terveysasema). It is not the same as emergency care or the emergency number 112. The Health Centre usually assesses your need for care and guides you further if needed.
What is Health Centre (terveysasema)?
The Health Centre is, for many people, the first practical contact with public healthcare in Finland. It usually belongs to the services of your wellbeing services county. In Helsinki, the corresponding services are organised by the city.
Health Centre does not mean the exact same service format everywhere in Finland. A region may use a phone service, digital service, callback or physical appointment.
First contact
The Health Centre helps clarify whether you need an appointment, advice, examination, certificate or referral to another service.
Not emergency care
If there is immediate danger to life, the Health Centre is not the first place. In an emergency, call 112.
Regional instructions
Booking and contact methods vary by wellbeing services county. Always check your own region's guidance.
What services does a Health Centre usually provide?
According to STM, health and social services centres provide especially primary healthcare and closely related social services guidance and counselling.
A Health Centre may usually include appointments with doctors or nurses, assessment of need for care, health counselling, vaccination-related guidance, follow-up of long-term matters and guidance to other services.
Healthcare Guide does not explain which service fits a specific symptom. The service itself assesses what should happen next.
When should I contact the Health Centre?
Contact the Health Centre or the service indicated by your region when you need ordinary healthcare help and there is no immediate emergency.
Usual contact path
Step 1
Check how to contact your regional Health Centre or service
Check your situation before the next action.
Step 2
Contact by phone, digital service or another instructed method
This is the next point in the route.
Step 3
Briefly explain what the matter is and how urgent it is
This is the next point in the route.
Step 4
Answer additional questions so the service can assess your need for care
This is the next point in the route.
Step 5
Follow the appointment, advice or next-step instructions you receive
Follow messages and reply to requests on time.
If the matter is urgent but not immediately life-threatening, check your regional urgent-care guidance and 116117. In an emergency, call 112.
What should I prepare before contact?
Before contact, keep ready your name, personal identity code or date of birth, contact details, address, information about earlier contact and any interpreting need.
If the matter relates to a document, certificate, prescription, referral or previous visit, say this early. If you do not understand the instruction, ask for it in writing.
Make the request clear
First say what you need from the service: appointment, advice, certificate, further instruction or contact with a healthcare professional.
What happens after contact?
After contact, the service assesses what is needed next. It may give advice, book an appointment, ask for more information, direct you to a digital service or guide you to another service.
Not every contact leads to a doctor's appointment. If a nurse, doctor or another professional assesses that another next step is right, follow the instruction and ask questions if something is unclear.
When are you referred to another professional?
The Health Centre may refer you to another professional or service if the matter does not belong to the Health Centre or if you need a more specific assessment.
The referral may relate, for example, to dental care, mental health services, rehabilitation, specialised healthcare, social services or occupational healthcare. This does not mean you contacted the wrong place. The Health Centre often works as an entry point to the right service.
If you need a sign language interpreter
Tell about the interpreting need as soon as you contact the Health Centre. Also say whether you need a sign language interpreter, speech-to-text interpreting or another accessible communication method.
If you have a Kela decision for interpreting service for persons with disabilities, you can usually use the service in authority and healthcare matters according to Kela guidance. Book the interpreter early and ask for important instructions in writing.