Ministry of Social Affairs and Health reforms guidance of information management in healthcare and social welfare — two new cooperation groups for regional operators

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will reform the guidance of information management in healthcare and social welfare.  As part of the reform, the Ministry will set up two new cooperation groups for regional operators — an advisory board on national information management in healthcare and social welfare and a steering group for national information management in healthcare and social welfare. 

The aim of reforming the steering model is to enhance cooperation between the Ministry, regional health and social services actors and key stakeholders. The reform also aims to make it possible for regions and other key stakeholders to get more involved in decision-making and in the preparation of the content of guidance for information management.

“Effective cooperation is important. The benefits of digitalisation and information management are ultimately realised when clients use the services they need, in other words public and private health and social services at the regional level,” says Markku Heinäsenaho, Head of Information Management.

New cooperation groups

Advisory board on national information management in healthcare and social welfare

The advisory board on national information management in healthcare and social welfare will meet twice a year to discuss the needs and objectives of healthcare and social welfare and the opportunities offered by digitalisation to promote them. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health makes significant investments every year to develop national digital solutions. Targeting these investments effectively requires discussion on the needs of different operators. The relevant public officials in the welfare services counties to be established and the key national implementing authorities and stakeholders will be invited to join the advisory board.

Steering group for national information management in healthcare and social welfare

The steering group for national information management in healthcare and social welfare will guide the national project portfolio of information management in healthcare and social welfare (e.g. the development of the Kanta Services). The steering group will discuss the project plans for new projects and the progress reports on the ongoing projects and, in particular, examine significant deviations and risks. Representatives of the leadership of information management in the catchment areas for highly specialised medical care and in large cities and a representative of the forum for cooperation between regions and municipalities in information management in healthcare and social welfare (AKUSTI) will be invited to join the steering group. The group will also include representatives from the key national implementing authorities and DigiFinland Oy.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will send regional operators and other stakeholders separate invitations to join the groups.

What does guidance of information management in healthcare and social welfare mean?

In a digitalising society, development of information management is an important way to create new value. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the general planning, guidance and monitoring of information management and the financing of significant national projects within its administrative branch. Each year the Ministry updates the development paths of national information management and guides their implementation together with regional operators and key stakeholders. By providing guidance, the Ministry aims to support regional digitalisation and promote the benefits achievable from national cooperation.

Inquiries:

Markku Heinäsenaho, Head of Information Management, tel. +358 295 163 158, [email protected]
Minna Saario, Director, tel. +358 295 163 146, [email protected]