Terveys Turussa
Health in Turku
Health and well-being are a combination of many different factors. The goals of the Turku City Public Health Department is to promote the health of the inhabitants with preventive, research, caretaking and rehabilitative services, and to affect the quality of the living environment.
By executing these goals the Public Health Department looks to make positive changes in the health behaviour of the inhabitants, and in their psychological, physical and social well-being.
The Public Health Department is led by the Turku Board of Health.
Immigrant Health Care Services
An immigrant is entitled to use public municipal health care services. The right to use the Turku Health Care Services is granted to everyone who is granted the right of residence in Turku according to the Municipality of Residence Act.
The City of Turku Health Care Department organises the municipal primary health care services and refers patients to the special level medical care according to the need.
Turku Health Care services are provided at the small-district health centres, at on-call services, mother and child wellbeing clinics, schools and oral health clinics.
The city of Turku Environmental Health Care instructs and advises on environmental health matters. The Environmental Health Care also controls the level of hygiene and the health of food products.
Refugees and asylum seekers who have been granted residence get their first-phase health services at the Health Care Immigrant Office for the duration of three years. The returning migrants from Ingria are advised on health care services and get a health check-up by a nurse. Afterwards, the returning migrants visit the small-district health station in their own residential area.
The Immigrant Office provides integration services into the Finnish society to refugees together with the Social Welfare officials. The Immigrant Office also aims to promote the understanding of foreign cultures in the Turku society.
More information on immigrant health care services is available at the Turku Health Care Services.
When you get ill
In Turku, municipal health care is provided at the small-district health stations. Your health station is determined by your street address and the city is divided into small-districts which each have a health station.
The main principle is that you should book an appointment at your own health centre. You may also call number 10023 to get advice. Book your appointment by phone.
In urgent situations you can go directly to the emergency service.
Children’s health
When your child is sick you should contact in the first place your own health station or a private health care service provider to get an assessment of the situation and eventually a referral for treatment at e.g. Children and Adolescents' Policlinic, if needed. The Children and Adolescents' Policlinic provides medical specialised level examinations and care for under 20- year-olds. You may get advice by phoning 10023.
Information about children’s and youth health care
When a child falls ill
When your child falls ill suddenly, you had better call 10023 for advice. You will be guided either to the emergency services or to your own small-district health centre. In less urgent cases, you may contact your Mother and Child Wellbeing Clinic.
Health centres (small-district health care stations)
Information about children’s and youth health care in Turku
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmacies are not a part of public health care in Turku but private enterprises. In case you need pharmacy services, your nearest pharmacy can be found from Turku Municipal Health Care Department's website.
Mental health
Mental health care is provided at small-district health centres. If necessary, the patient is referred to an assessment for specialised psychiatric care. Mental health services are also provided by the Mother and Child Wellbeing Clinics of the municipal health care, the school health care, the social welfare sector and by the elderly home care.
In urgent situations, contact your nearest health centre or emergency service.
Oral care
Public oral health care is part of the primary health care services. The Oral Health Care provides dental care for the Turku citizens as well as urgent, first aid services. There is a centralised booking telephone.
Information about the oral care services of the City of Turku
Sexuality
Turku Municipal Health Care Services include a Contraception Clinic (family planning) to provide services and advice for Turku residents aged 18-25 years. All adolescents are entitled to use the services without a referral. Anyone with a referral from the doctor is welcome, especially if there are problems with contraception of pregnancy or an economic hardship.
The contraception advice and services are free of charge.
The Contraception Clinic also produces material for sex education to be used at other health care facilities and at schools.
Contraception and sexual counselling in Turku.(only in Finnish)
When you are pregnant
When you are pregnant, contact your own small-district health centre for the nearest prenatal Mother and Child Wellbeing Clinic. (only in Finnish)