Regional State Administrative Agencies are responsible for regional guidance and supervision
They guide and supervise public and private healthcare and social welfare. They also issue licences to private providers of health and social services and supervise that public and private services are of the level and standard required by law. In addition, the Regional State Administrative Agencies promote the implementation of preventive health and social policy in cooperation with the wellbeing services counties and municipalities.
Their other tasks include:
- being responsible for the regional guidance on and oversight of legality in healthcare and social welfare and environmental health
- issuing licences to private providers of health and social services in the area
- issuing licences for the serving and retail sale of alcoholic beverages and supervising the sale of such beverages
- carrying out occupational safety and health enforcement.
- Regional State Administrative Agency
Valvira is responsible for national guidance and supervision
The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) is a central agency operating in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. It supervises the appropriateness of healthcare and social welfare, early childhood education and care and alcohol business at the national level.
Valvira is the national licensing authority for healthcare and social welfare in Finland, and it guides the Regional State Administrative Agencies to ensure consistent licensing, guidance and supervisory practices throughout the country. It also guides the implementation and supervision of health protection nationally.
Rights of clients and patients
See the links below for more information on the rights of clients and patients.