A1 Journal article (refereed)
Alueellinen yhdenvertaisuus maakunnallistuvissa sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon rakenteissa (2021)
Spatial equality in the context of provincial social and health care structures
Rantamäki, N., Kattilakoski, M., & Halonen, M. (2021). Alueellinen yhdenvertaisuus maakunnallistuvissa sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon rakenteissa. Yhteiskuntapolitiikka, 86(4), 383-394. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2021091546266
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Rantamäki, Niina; Kattilakoski, Mari; Halonen, Maija
Journal or series: Yhteiskuntapolitiikka
ISSN: 1455-6901
eISSN: 1458-6118
Publication year: 2021
Volume: 86
Issue number: 4
Pages range: 383-394
Publisher: Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos
Publication country: Finland
Publication language: Finnish
Persistent website address: http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2021091546266
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77957
Abstract
The welfare state can be considered one of the most significant equality projects of Finnish society. However, its original aim of ensuring equal and universal access to public welfare services, irrespective of social status or domicile, is now being threatened by a shortage of resources. Rural residents in particular are increasingly concerned about their security of access to adequate social care. Recent reforms have sought to address the resource problem by moving towards a provincial organization of services. In this article, we examine how spatial equality is manifested in regional social and health care organizations in two provinces. Based on 12 expert interviews carried out in two different organizations, spatial equality is defined as securing access to the same treatment regardless of where people are domiciled. This includes operational structures that take into account the regional dimension, the provision of services based on a uniform set of criteria, and different ways of providing services that overcome the challenges posed by regional diversity.Based on the results, spatial equality is pursued under various cross-pressures – including the pressure to harmonize services and still provide them in a manner appropriate to each area. To support spatial equality, organizations should be able to create and act according to a system that is grounded in place-sensitive information. In line with the calls made in our interview material, we call for explicit public debate on how far the objectives of spatial equality should be pursued.
Keywords: health and social services reform; health services; social services; service systems; counties; municipalities; regional policy; equality (fundamental rights)
Free keywords: spatial equality; social and health care reform; rural areas
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- The public service pledge in the Finnish reform of social and health care services - a rural perspective.
- Rantamäki, Niina
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2021
JUFO rating: 2