Rising demand leaves Pirkanmaa care strained, young people face long waits for psychiatric and addiction services

The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) says Pirkanmaa’s social and health services are not keeping up with growing demand, and young people in the region face delays accessing care, YLE reports.

The assessment links rising unemployment, homelessness and inequality to increased need for adult social and mental health services. Development of adult social services in the Pirkanmaa wellbeing region (Pirha) has lagged behind demand; by spring 2026 services were judged at risk. Homelessness has increased pressure on housing services, and more long-term families now receive income support. A shortage of psychiatrists has slowed treatment, and Pirkanmaa had the highest number in Finland waiting for psychiatric care in summer 2026.

The report flagged strains in services for older people, disabled residents and patients under 23. In 2025 emergency visits by older people exceeded the national average and inpatient ward use rose as continuing-care places proved insufficient. Disability services face growing demand for personal assistance, transport and heavy residential care. For those under 23, the primary-care treatment guarantee faltered in 2025: only 46 percent saw a doctor within two weeks in spring 2026. The assessment recommends strengthening intensive and basic addiction services for children and young people.

Despite these problems, the report noted some progress. A model assigning each multi-morbid and older patient a dedicated doctor and nurse has improved continuity, and specialist-care waiting lists fell in 2023–2025.

Earlier this year local care homes warned that communal housing was serving residents who were too ill for that model care homes' warnings, and Pirha has faced a costly surge in sick leave that has further strained services sick-leave surge and rising costs.