SAFE EVERYDAY LIFE AND WELL-FUNCTIONING SERVICES

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VANTAA AND KERAVA together form a bilingual wellbeing services county. In the county election, voters elect their representatives to decide how health, social and rescue services are organised in the Wellbeing Services County of Vantaa and Kerava.

The Vantaa and Kerava area offers many opportunities but it also has challenges. Our wellbeing services county is unique in that its population is growing rapidly and is the most multicultural in Finland. The age structure of our population is young but also ageing.

We have a relatively large number of residents who need a great deal of support. The number of people needing care is constantly increasing. The need for child welfare services and young people’s mental health problems have increased in recent years. We must find new solutions to tackle these challenges.

In the Wellbeing Services County of Vantaa and Kerava, a positive future is being built through good cooperation. As a result, access to care and services has improved in recent years. Decision-makers must show humanity and foresight. We must continue to reform our services. It is a humane and economically sustainable path. We must continue to safeguard health, social and rescue services and ensure the availability of human resources. Client fees should not be a barrier to using services.

We Social Democrats believe that public health and social services are the foundation of wellbeing and security. They are complemented by health and social organisations and businesses in the sector. The wellbeing services county’s own service provision must be increased, and outsourced services must be used wisely. Services must be developed to meet the needs of residents and different residential areas.

With your support, we Social Democrats can ensure that health, social and rescue services are organised in a fair, responsible and equal manner in the Wellbeing Services County of Vantaa and Kerava. Your right to a safe everyday life and well-functioning services is our main goal.

ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES

We will ensure that health services are close and easily accessible. People must be able to contact their health centre without delay. Health care must be available immediately in urgent cases and within two weeks in non-urgent situations. Dental care must be available within a month in non-urgent situations and on the same day in urgent cases. Specialised medical care must also be available at health centres. Remote appointments should be offered to those who wish to use them.

EMPLOYEES ARE OUR MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE

The Wellbeing Services County of Vantaa and Kerava is a great place to work. We will take care of the wellbeing services county’s employees. We will invest in their occupational wellbeing and coping at work. We will develop working conditions and salaries in a consistent manner. This will ensure that our wellbeing services county remains an attractive workplace and the quality of services remains high.

TIMELY SUPPORT FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN

Healthy and happy parents are the best protection for a child and ensure healthy development. Parents are supported by well-functioning services for children and families. We will ensure that all families get the support they need. Child health clinics support the wellbeing of families with small children. Our goal is to establish a family centre in each major area, providing help and support and also a place that families can visit just to have a cup of coffee with other parents and children. Family centres will include maternity and child health clinics, current family services and, if necessary, specialist medical services as well as low-threshold activities provided by health and social organisations and parishes.

YOUTH WELLBEING MUST BE ENSURED

We will strengthen school and student health services and the availability of mental health services. Quick access to services is humane and saves public funds.

Smooth multiprofessional cooperation between parents, schools, youth services, the wellbeing services county’s units, and health and social organisations is needed to support young people. The availability of free low-threshold services for young people must be increased. The availability and resources of psychologists and school social workers must be ensured in pre-primary education units, schools and other educational institutions. High-quality counselling on contraception and sexual health must be provided for young people.

NO ONE IS LEFT WITHOUT SUPPORT OR LIVELIHOOD

Support must be available when it is needed. Preventive services are important to prevent problems from becoming unbearable. There is a need for effective substance abuse services that take children’s perspective and young people’s special needs into consideration. Livelihood and housing must be ensured for everyone so that no one is left without support in a difficult situation.

GOOD CARE FOR THE ELDERLY

A sufficient number of skilled caregivers is essential for high-quality care. Everyone has the right to live in their own home as long as it is possible. Everyone has the right to other people’s company, outdoor activities and recreation. The elderly must not be left alone. The number of assisted living and nursing home facilities must be increased as the need for them grows. Home care should be developed to meet the needs of the elderly.

EQUAL RIGHTS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The wellbeing services county complies with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which aims to ensure the equality and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society. The individual needs of our residents must be taken into account in the wellbeing services county’s services and their accessibility.

WELLBEING OF INFORMAL CARERS MUST BE SUPPORTED

The work of informal carers is valuable. In the Wellbeing Services County of Vantaa and Kerava, we will ensure that all informal carers receive the statutory allowance and guidance, have free time and get enough rest.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS ARE IMPORTANT PARTNERS

Health and social organisations improve residents’ health and wellbeing and offer opportunities to get involved and make a difference. In addition to professional expertise, these organisations highlight the role of peers and volunteers. We will integrate the expertise of health and social organisations into the wellbeing services county’s services, safeguard partnerships through sufficient funding, and maintain the operation of the advisory board for cooperation with organisations as part of the structures of the wellbeing services county.

HIGH-QUALITY RESCUE SERVICES

High-quality rescue and emergency medical services must be available in all situations in a timely manner and with sufficient resources. The necessary new rescue stations must be built urgently. The operating conditions for contract fire brigades must also be secured in the future.

RESIDENTS’ WELLBEING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

We Social Democrats believe in cooperation. We want to ensure that cooperation between the wellbeing services county and the cities of Vantaa and Kerava increases for the benefit of our residents. Promoting health and wellbeing is the joint responsibility of the wellbeing services county and the two cities. Measures must be taken in city planning, early childhood education, schools, youth and sports services as well as in cultural, integration and employment services. The better the cooperation between different parties is, the better we can ensure our residents’ health, wellbeing, safety, and smooth everyday life.

Vantaa ja Kerava

VOTE

Advance voting
2–8 April 2025

Election Day
13 April 2025