Outlook for the development of information management
The development outlook for information management in health and social services describes the long‑term direction for how data and its use will evolve.
The operating environment of health and social services is changing. At the same time, expectations for data quality, timeliness and usability are increasing. Decision‑making requires relevant information on service effectiveness, costs and equity.
Developing information management in the health and social services sector involves long‑term investments, which require sustained changes to information systems and training for professionals to use them. Decisions made today will influence the service system and the possibilities for knowledge‑based management for many years.
National priorities for development are decided annually. Development supports more effective and diverse services, knowledge‑based management and responsible decision‑making. Joint development work ensures that the knowledge base of the health and social services system responds to future challenges as well.
The development outlook supports strategic steering and resource decisions. For example, expanding the Kanta Services and developing data repositories support equity, as they help improve both public and private health and social services and benefit all citizens.
Developing shared information management supports all health and social services and modes of service provision. It also defines which types of data will be developed in the coming years to meet different information needs and how data will be used to improve service effectiveness.
Direction of development in the coming years
The development of information management in health and social services is guided by national policies, legislation and the shared enterprise architecture. The goal is to ensure that information flows smoothly, is comparable and supports both everyday operations and strategic decision‑making. Development efforts emphasise interoperability and the management of the full data lifecycle.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health decides on the priorities and funding for national development in information management. These decisions are supported by, among other things, THL’s preparatory assessments and cooperation with different authorities.
THL also promotes the international exchange of health data
THL’s role in steering information management also includes international cooperation—for example, in cross‑border health data exchange and the development of standards.
THL promotes the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation in Finland. EHDS will enable the secure digital sharing of health data across national borders with healthcare professionals. Smooth cross‑border health data exchange supports continuity of care and enhances patient safety. EHDS will also enable the use of health data for research and public health purposes.
Developing the European Health Data Space benefits EU citizens by improving access to and control over their own health data. In the coming years, citizens will increasingly be able to add their own health information for use in healthcare.
The EHDS regulation will be implemented gradually in the late 2020s.
Development areas in information management
The National Medication List in the Kanta Services compiles all of a patient’s medication information into a single national view. It provides an up‑to‑date and unified overview of medication both for healthcare professionals and for the patient. The list shows current medications, dosage changes and discontinued medicines. This improves the overall understanding of a patient’s medication regimen, reduces adverse events, supports cost‑effective pharmacotherapy and enhances patient safety.
The right to update the medication list belongs to healthcare professionals authorised to prescribe medicines, pharmacy staff in community pharmacies, and—under limited rights—nurses and pharmacists working in healthcare. In the future, citizens will also be able to add over‑the‑counter medicines to the National Medication List via MyKanta.
The National Medication List will be adopted in all healthcare units, pharmacies, hospital pharmacies and in MyKanta for citizens by 1 October 2027. Development will continue from 2027 to 2031, during which functionalities will be expanded.
Brochure on the features and benefits of the National Medication List:
Implementation of the National Medication List (Julkari, In Finnish)
The imaging data repository compiles imaging studies generated in patient care – such as X‑ray, MRI and ultrasound images, as well as ECG recordings – into a single national service. It also includes study requests, records and reports.
The service enables the use of images across wellbeing services counties and between public and private healthcare. Images are available to healthcare professionals with the patient’s consent. Through MyKanta, citizens can view documents related to imaging studies, such as requests and reports, which supports continuity of care.
The imaging data repository reduces duplicate studies, supports cost efficiency and ensures service continuity. The service is being introduced in stages, and in the future the repository will expand with new types of imaging studies. As digitalisation advances, it will also enable analysis and review of images. This supports patient safety, quality of care and decision‑making across Finland.
THL and Kela develop the service together: THL steers the operating models and documentation, while Kela is responsible for technical implementation and maintenance. Development is guided by the data content and timelines defined in the Act on the Processing of Client Data in Healthcare and Social Welfare.
The query and delivery service enables healthcare professionals to transmit information securely to authorities and other authorised recipients. The service streamlines processes and reduces duplicate work both in healthcare and in receiving organisations.
Processing of citizens’ matters is also faster, as certificates no longer need to be printed and mailed. Citizens can see their electronic certificates and delivery information in MyKanta and use them, for example, in Kela’s benefit processing.
Healthcare workflows become more efficient when certificates can be created electronically and transmitted directly through the Kanta Services to the authorities or other authorised recipients who need them.
Currently, the service is used to transmit various medical certificates and statements. In the future, it will also be used for notifications originating from healthcare.
The service is already utilised by Kela and Traficom, which receive electronic certificates and statements produced in healthcare.
The service is being developed in phases. In the near future, it will be possible to transmit new national certificates, statements and notifications to Kela and other recipients.
In addition, the grounds for transmitting information will expand. Today, certificates and statements can be transmitted only when the citizen requests it or consents based on a professional’s recommendation. In the future, the service can also be used when transmission is based on a statutory request by the recipient or on a statutory notification or reporting obligation of a healthcare professional.
THL coordinates the development, and Kela’s Kanta Services handle the technical implementation.
Shared information management in health and social services enables the use of data across sectors and between different service providers. Development efforts support the integration of shared services. When information management in health and social services improves, professionals gain a more up‑to‑date and coherent understanding of a client’s situation and can better identify the services the client needs.
Legislation governs the use of health and social care data and sets clear boundaries for professionals’ access to information. The use and disclosure of data are regulated by the Act on the Processing of Client Data in Healthcare and Social Welfare and other sector‑specific laws. Data is used and disclosed in accordance with legislation, the citizen’s consent or authorisation, and role‑based access rights. Citizens’ data is therefore protected and used only when appropriate.
Shared data is also developed to support knowledge‑based management and operational steering. This enables services to be coordinated more effectively.
THL coordinates the development of shared information management, defines common operating models and ensures that these models support the provision of high‑quality health and social services.
The Kanta Services enable health and social care data to be stored and used across different organisations and services. Key development priorities for 2026 include:
comprehensive storage of social welfare client data
harmonisation of medication information
electronic transmission of medical certificates to authorities.
The Kanta Services strengthen the integration of services. They are developed to support continuity of care and the secure use of data between different actors. Development emphasises the use of structured data and up‑to‑date information. The Kanta Services are becoming an increasingly central part of the national knowledge base and the foundation for knowledge‑based management.
The deadline for the rollout of the Social Welfare Client Data Repository is autumn 2026. Citizens will also be able to view their social welfare service information through MyKanta, making it easier to manage and follow their own data.
The National Medication List provides a national and up‑to‑date summary of a person’s medication. The aim is that all parties involved in medication management—including the patient—have access to the same current information. Comprehensive adoption of the National Medication List is planned in both health and social services during 2027, with full availability for all service providers by autumn 2027.
Through the Kanta query and delivery service, stored certificates and statements can be transmitted securely to authorities and organisations, reducing paperwork and speeding up processes.
The Kanta Services are also part of Europe‑wide development within the European Health Data Space (EHDS), which aims to enable the secure and standardised movement of health data between EU countries in the coming years.
Development of the Kanta Services is carried out jointly by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, THL and Kela in cooperation with wellbeing services counties and system suppliers. Priorities include improving data flows and usability across the health and social services sector and expanding citizens’ digital self‑management options through MyKanta.
The European Health Data Space (EHDS) is an EU regulation that establishes common rules for the use and exchange of electronic health data across EU Member States. Its purpose is to enable citizens to access and manage their health data securely across borders. At the same time, healthcare professionals will have access to current information to support clinical decision‑making, improving continuity and quality of care throughout Europe.
EHDS enables the use of health data for two purposes:
Primary use, where data is used in patient care – for example, e‑prescriptions and patient summaries can be utilised in another EU country.
Secondary use, where data is used securely for research, innovation and decision‑making.
Common standards and strict data protection and information security requirements ensure that data is used safely and interoperably across the Union.
The regulation entered into force in 2025 and will be implemented in phases. From 2029 onwards, key health data – such as patient summaries and e‑prescriptions – can move between EU countries. By 2031, data exchange will expand to include imaging studies, laboratory results and discharge summaries. This strengthens digital health services, supports research and improves the information base for decision‑making across Europe.
In Finland, EHDS implementation is coordinated through broad inter‑agency cooperation. THL supports implementation through work on data structures, operating models and research, and coordinates national stakeholders. Cooperating authorities include the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Kela, Findata, Fimea, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency and the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health. The objective is to ensure that Finnish healthcare and research benefit from interoperable European health data and new opportunities it enables.
THL is building the national wellbeing and health and social services data repository, which brings together data collected by authorities on wellbeing, services and healthcare. A unified data repository facilitates data collection, integration and publication and improves access to national comparative information for decision‑making.
The use of data is strictly regulated and follows data protection and information security requirements through established permit procedures.
The repository supports the management, research and development needs of wellbeing services counties. When data is available in a consistent format, it can be used more efficiently in research, innovation and education—both nationally and internationally. At the same time, information management becomes more efficient and the costs of data production decrease.
The first datasets—such as laboratory data, prescription data and hospital medication data—will be incorporated from the Patient Data Repository in the Kanta Services. This enables more extensive use of data for research and registry activities.
Data transfer is also being developed technically. Database replication enables near real‑time data transfer between wellbeing services counties, THL and other authorities. The solution is currently being piloted and will be expanded in phases. The goal is seamless data exchange that supports knowledge‑based management and service development across Finland.
National data production is being strengthened to better meet the information needs of decision‑making and governance. Development utilises automation, shared data repositories and new analytics solutions, with the goal of providing a current and reliable knowledge base for the entire society.