Potilasasiamiehen palvelut

The services of a Patient Ombudsman 


In Finland, there is an Act on the Status and Rights of Patients (785/1992). 

The Act applies to all health care and health care services provided in social welfare institutions. 

According to Section 10 of the Act, 'a person dissatisfied with his or her health or medical care, or treatment related to it, shall have the right to file an objection with the director responsible for health care in the health care unit. A decision on the objection shall be given within a reasonable time after it has been filed. The objection shall be without prejudice to the right of the patient to lodge a complaint about their care, or treatment related to their care, with the authority supervising health care or medical care.' The objection is always filed before the complaint. 

The Patient Ombudsman works with the following matters: 

  • Instructs the patient to talk to the person or unit concerned as soon as problems arise. 
  • If necessary, advises on resolving conflicts and e.g. filing an objection, if no other solution can be found. If the patient wishes to express their view on the quality of care or treatment, they may file a written objection based on the Patient Act. 
  • Works in the wellbeing services county to promote and enforce the rights of the patient. 
  • Communicates in questions related to the status and rights of the patient in accordance with the Patient Act. 

The Patient Ombudsman does not 

  • take a stand on your medical treatment decisions or on the implementation of your treatment. 
  • take a stand on whether there has been a patient injury in your treatment. 
  • interpret the contents of your patient records. 

Patient Ombudsman’s services are free of charge and confidential. Meetings must always be agreed upon separately. 

What you should do 

You can contact us when you have questions about the services provided by the Patient Ombudsman for care facilities and operational units located in the municipalities of North Savo. 

With regard to the services provided by Kuopio University Hospital, instructions and advice on matters related to the rights of health care clients are provided by the Patient Ombudsman of Kuopio University Hospital. 

Telephone services 

Patient Ombudsman, municipalities 

You can contact us when you have questions about the services provided by the Patient Ombudsman for care facilities and operational units located in the municipalities of North Savo. 

With regard to the services provided by Kuopio University Hospital, instructions and advice on matters related to the rights of health care clients are provided by the Patient Ombudsman of Kuopio University Hospital. 

Patient Ombudsmen Raija Autio, Arja Kivari and Minttu-Maarit Mustanoja

  • Tel. +358 44 461 0850 

Telephone hours, appointments must always be agreed separately 

  • Monday to Friday 9.00 - 11.30 am 

Patient Ombudsman, Kuopio University Hospital 

You will receive instructions and advice from the Patient Ombudsman on matters related to the rights of health care clients. You can reach the Patient Ombudsman by phone during the  calling hours or by leaving a callback request to the answering machine. Make appointments by booking beforehand. 

Telephone hours, appointments must always be agreed separately 

  • Monday to Friday 9.00 - 11.30 am

Lisätiedot, potilasasiamies

See also

Primary health care Patient Ombudsmen 

Patient Ombudsmen Raija Autio, Arja Kivari and Minttu-Maarit Mustanoja
Telephone hours: Mon-Fri 9.00 - 11.30 am 
Tel. 044 461 0850 

Email to primary health care Patient Ombudsmen: potilasasiamies@pshyvinvointialue.fi   
Insert the municipality of contact in the email heading. The email is unsecure, thus, do not send any information you wish to keep confidential. 

Patient Ombudsmen for Kuopio University Hospital 

Kristiina Anttonen and Mervi Paldanius 
Tel. 044 461 0511 

Email to the Patient Ombudsmen of Kuopio University Hospital: kyspotilasasiamies@pshyvinvointialue.fi   
Do not send any information you wish to keep confidential. 

Secure email to Patient Ombudsmen: https://turvaposti.pshyvinvointialue.fi   
Requires identification, select a Patient Ombudsman as the recipient. The message is encrypted.