You will receive service in your mother tongue, Finnish or Swedish, and in other languages where necessary and possible. The aim is to give everyone in Helsinki the help they need at the right time and equally.
The Health Care Act and the Language Act decree on the language rights of clients. This means that you have a legal right to receive services in Finnish and Swedish.
The City of Helsinki also has a National Languages Board, which assesses issues such as the availability and quality of Swedish-language services.
How does the Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division promote bilingualism?
- Staff language agents encourage colleagues to speak Swedish with customers and colleagues.
- Swedish language courses are organised annually.
- The website, news, brochures and signposts are published in Swedish.
- The division has a Swedish-language working group with representatives from the different service departments.
- The bilingualism plan for the division sets out objectives and measures to ensure bilingualism.
- The staff seminar ‘Svenska veckan’ is organised annually.
- The division offers Swedish-speaking internships and participates in Swedish-speaking student events.
- The jobs and the division are marketed in Swedish, and recruitment services serve customers in Swedish.
Sign language interpreting service
If you have hearing impairment or speech disability and need a sign language interpreter, for example, Kela offers you an interpreter service.
Interpreting service in other languages
If your mother tongue is not Finnish or Swedish, you have the right to an interpreter. If you need an interpreter, please state this when booking your appointment. The interpreter service is free of charge for you.