Distribution of self-care supplies
- Service
- Helsinki
- Public service
Patients can receive free-of-charge care supplies for the treatment of illnesses when they need these supplies for no less than three months.
The products must be ordered in advance via telephone or online. The delivery takes two weeks, after which the products can be picked up at the distribution point of self-treatment products.
The products can also be sent via post to a post office or parcel point (free of charge). Ostomy-related products and catheters can be delivered directly to the customer's home (free of charge).
Referrals entitling patients to self-care supplies are issued from the patients' own health stations, in which the patients' doctors and public health nurses assess the patients' needs for self-care supplies. Referrals entitling patients in home care to self-care supplies are issued by home care doctors.
To whom and on what terms
The decision on the distribution of care accessories is made by a doctor or a health care professional. As a rule, the precondition is that the illness is of a long term, in other words over three months in duration.
Referral is required.
The service is only for citizens of Helsinki.
The service is free of charge.
Care accessories are provided free of charge to the users.
Background information
Care accessories are needed to treat certain long-term illnesses. The accessories include those related to ostomy, wound care, diabetes, catheterisation and dialysis. Incontinence pads are also offered for persons with medium or serious incontinence.
Care accessories are also distributed in connection with home nursing and at-home hospital care.