Mäntymäki elderly unit in Akaa could close after Attendo ends lease

The Pirkanmaa welfare area (Pirha) may close its Mäntymäki elderly residential unit in Akaa after landlord Attendo terminated the lease, which runs until the end of March next year. The building currently houses both Pirha’s round-the-clock Mäntymäki unit and Attendo’s Peltola unit. Pirha had planned to keep Mäntymäki in its service network but has been unable to find suitable alternative premises; the regional board may recommend closure once cooperation negotiations conclude.

The move comes amid wider co-operation talks across the welfare area that could affect nearly 620 staff. Those discussions cover services for older people and for people with disabilities, and they specifically concern the Mäntymäki unit. Residents, their relatives and staff are being informed individually, with staff consultations running as part of the broader talks.

Pirha has warned the negotiations could lead to staff reductions of up to 40 employees in elderly and disability services, although it says it intends to offer alternative positions. Yesterday the welfare area also named disability residential units in Tampere’s Härmälänranta and Kuhmoinen’s Päijäläkoti as facing closure threats. The developments were reported by YLE.