A-Klinikkasäätiö Plans 11 Job Cuts, Oulu Street Clinic at Risk

A‑Klinikkasäätiö plans to scale back addiction services and lay off 11 staff as it prepares for potential reductions in state funding, Aamulehti reports.

The foundation says the dismissals come after change negotiations, and that terms for five other positions will be substantially altered as a precaution against cuts to STEA funding. CEO Hannu Jouhki said public discussion about deep funding cuts forced the organisation to act early. "The scale of cuts discussed publicly is so large that we must prepare in advance," he wrote, adding the measures will mean helping fewer people going forward.

If funding is reduced, the Oulu Katuklinikka may close and low‑threshold meeting places in Helsinki and Tampere will be scaled back. Digital services such as Päihdelinkki, Nuortenlinkki, Lasista lapsuutta and Dopinglinkki would be run with fewer staff, which would affect response times and chat opening hours.

The foundation currently employs 49 people and is preparing for up to a 30 percent cut. From January to August 2026 it recorded 1,625 direct digital contacts; outreach work generated about 11,000 client contacts last year, including 3,058 at Katuklinikat in 2025, of which 1,002 were in Oulu.

The move follows similar funding worries and staff reductions at local organisations this autumn. These include Artteli's dismissals in Amuri earlier this month, change negotiations at a Tampere disability group that could affect up to 20 jobs this summer, and recent layoffs at the Mannerheim League in the Häme district.

The final scope of the reductions will be clear next year when funding decisions are made.