Guidance and Supervision

Valvira is a nationwide authority which guides municipalities and Regional State Administrative Agencies on legislation associated with Valvira’s jurisdiction. In addition, Valvira supervises implementation and conformity to law in different fields of healthcare and welfare.

 

Some main areas of responsibilities and examples of duties

 

Social care

Social care facilities are governed by Regional State Administrative Agencies according to their location and Valvira’s role is to ensure guidance the Agencies give is coherent throughout the country. One shared responsibility is social care complaints which are primarily processed in the appropriate Regional State Administrative Agency but referred to Valvira if the complaint requires an evaluation of a nursing unit.

Healthcare

Valvira has many responsibilities in field of healthcare, among them is maintaining a register of healthcare professionals (Terhikki), handling patient complaints related to severe treatment injuries and granting licenses for abortion in special cases.

Medical devices

The function of the Valvira is to monitor the compliance of medical devices with the legislation and regulations and to promote their safe use.

Gene technology

Valvira controls safe use of gene technology by granting research licenses.

Environmental health and protection

Valvira collaborates with other authorities to prevent, reduce and eliminate potential health risks in living environment and to promote a healthy and safe living environment. Responsibilities vary from household water to waste disposal.

Supervision of alcohol and tobacco products

Under Alcohol and Tobacco Acts, Valvira guides and supervises self-management of alcohol manufacturers and importers. Valvira grants licences regarding manufacture, wholesale and import of alcohol and use of industrial alcohol. Jointly with municipalities, Valvira supervises the prohibition of tobacco marketing and if necessary gives terms of reference to promote coherent and national supervision of the marketing ban. In addition, supervision of interfering substances and tobacco labelling are Valvira's field.

 

Aims of guidance and supervision

 

By promoting standard supervision, licensing and guidance practices in healthcare and social care Valvira is:

• promoting the whole population’s health and functional capacity
• preventing effects of use of alcohol and tobacco
• ensuring an individual’s legal protection in social welfare and healthcare
• ensuring service quality in social welfare and healthcare
• ensuring patient safety
• ensuring management of environmental health risks
• promoting equal treatment of healthcare providers
• preventing harm from use of chemicals