Deputy-Ombudsman issued several reprimands concerning mistreatment of elderly spouses and serious negligence in the organisation of services

Deputy-Ombudsman Maija Sakslin has issued a reprimand to the wellbeing services county for several unlawful actions and negligence in the treatment of elderly spouses and the organisation of their services. A reprimand was also issued to the director responsible for the services for shortcomings in the organisation of home care and to a social worker who had failed to submit a notification of unlawful conduct in accordance with the Act on Supervision of Social Welfare and Health Care. 

Each public official and employee performing a public duty is responsible for ensuring that vulnerable clients receive the services they are legally entitled to. Neglecting this obligation may result in liability for their acts in office.

The Deputy-Ombudsman emphasises that, in order to safeguard the realisation of clients’ fundamental and human rights, shortcomings or negligence must be reported to the supervisory authority or a complaint must be filed about the matter. The obligation to report also applies to situations in which the wellbeing services county does not provide sufficient services.

Numerous mistakes in the processing of matters resulted in the spouses not being provided with the services they were legally entitled to receive at home, and the complainant was repeatedly prevented, with police assistance, from taking their spouse home from the care home.

The Deputy-Ombudsman recommended that the wellbeing services county consider how it can recompense the client and the complainant for the violation of their fundamental rights. 

Deputy-Ombudsman Sakslin’s decision EOAK/6255/2024 has been published (in Finnish) on the Parliamentary Ombudsman's website at www.oikeusasiamies.fi.

Further information is available from Principal Legal Adviser Lotta Hämeen-Anttila, tel. +358 9 432 3353.