The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) is initiating change negotiations. A number of financial saving measures are being planned, including some that would affect staff. In addition to these changes, the FSHS is planning to make adjustments to its operating model.
The reorganisation measures to follow the FSHS’s new strategy were initiated in November 2025 to create an organisation centred on nationwide service provision with a focus on digital services. The next steps are now being taken.
The change negotiations, taking place due to financial or production-related reasons, will concern nearly the entire FSHS staff, some 1,150 employees. Based on an initial estimate the planned changes might lead to the termination of up to 68 employment contracts. Additionally, up to 8 employee’s contracts could be made part-time. For some of the staff, essential aspects of their employment contract may also need to be revised. The negotiations will not concern any FSHS physicians involved in clinical practice – certain other smaller categories of staff have also been excluded.
During the negotiations the FSHS will work with the staff to find solutions to potentially reduce the number of terminations required.
The FSHS is responsible for providing general and mental health services and oral health services within the scope of primary healthcare for over 300,000 higher education students in Finland. The FSHS is funded by healthcare fees paid by students (23%) and by funding provided by the government (77%). Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, is responsible for the organisation of the services.
The reason for the change negotiations is the FSHS’s financial situation. Because of how it is funded, the FSHS is not able to increase its revenue and its expenditure cannot exceed the available funding. Without these adjustment measures the FSHS risks exceeding its annual budget of 95 million euros.
“With the fixed funding model and a growing demand for our services, we’re faced with a situation where permanent structural changes and a streamlining of our operations are required. We’ll ensure high service quality and appropriate access to treatment despite the upcoming changes”, FSHS Managing Director Annika Saarikko says.
“Given the weak economic prospects, the FSHS needs to continue reorganising its operations. We need to improve the efficiency of our service provision and to make sure we’re taking full advantage of the possibilities offered by digital service provision. Our goal is to make the planned changes with minimal effect on the services provided for students”, says Chair of the FSHS Board of Trustees Tuomo Yli-Huttula.
The plans are aimed at achieving permanent structural and operational changes: reorganisation of duties and work for improved efficiency. A streamlining of the organisation is also being planned from a cost-effectiveness and functionality perspective. these changes are not expected to affect the number of FSHS service units.
The symptoms of students contacting the FSHS are usually mild to moderate, and where possible, the goal is to already treat the problem when the student first contacts the FSHS. The adjustments being planned are also aimed at achieving this goal. Half of students contacting the FSHS do so digitally, using the FSHS’s chat services. Similarly, half of general and mental health visits are now video appointments.
“With the launch of the new digital service platform YTHSDigi, the FSHS now has the chance to provide more services through multiple channels nationwide. The benefit of this change to our service model will also be taken into consideration in the change negotiations”, says Saarikko.
The first change negotiation will take place on 2 June 2026. The goal is to complete all negotiations by the end of June.
Further information for the media:
Annika Saarikko, FSHS Managing Director, tel. 040 744 6770, annika.saarikko(at)yths.fi
For interview requests you can also contact FSHS Communications Manager Inka Akkanen, tel. 040 822 6582, inka.akkanen(at)yths.fi