In 2025, the City carried out a total of 252 inspection visits, of which 219 were unannounced. Visits were made to both in-house and purchased services units.
“The purpose of the visits is to ensure that the services are of high quality, safe and equal," says Purchased Services Manager Kristiina Matikainen.
Monitoring is carried out in 24-hour care units, home care, day activity units, medical services and purchased services.
“The monitoring is carried out by experienced professionals," adds Purchased Services Manager Matikainen.
The inspections focused on screening for reporting practices on incidents that jeopardise client and patient safety, the implementation of nurse staffing and care recording practices.
Of the inspections carried out, 78 were hygiene audits of 24-hour care units aimed at improving the level of hygiene and infection prevention in care units.
“If any shortcomings are detected, they are addressed immediately and a correction timetable and related measures are agreed upon," Matikainen says.
Key findings and measures
Despite senior services being provided by different service providers, the quality of the services appears to be generally good. No major differences were found between the different service providers and the way in which services were implemented.
“The availability of staff in senior services appears to have stabilised, and the use of staffing agencies has decreased. In an increasing number of instances, the substitutes were familiar to clients and employees," Matikainen says.
“The safety of medical treatment was also at a good level. Medical treatment was administered by appropriately licensed staff trained in drug treatment,” she adds.
The areas that needed the most improvement were the timeliness of treatment plans, and recording practices. There is also room for improvement in clients' daily activity and opportunities to spend time outdoors.
“Overall, however, it can be said that the services are of high quality and meet the needs of the clients. Cooperation with different service providers is smooth and straightforward. We are informed of any shortcomings at a very low threshold, which is great. This way, we can work together to find solutions to remedy any weak spots," Matikainen says.
Further information
The City of Helsinki's Purchased Services and Quality Management Unit supervises senior services and carries out service organiser’s self-supervision in accordance with the act on social welfare and health care supervision (sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon valvontalaki).