National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Finland)

The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Finnish: Valvira, Swedish: Valvira, English abbreviation commonly used: Valvira) is a Finnish government agency under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. It is responsible for supervising and licensing social and healthcare services and professionals in Finland.

Valvira's core functions include:

• Licensing: Granting licenses to social and healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, dentists, and social workers, ensuring they meet the required qualifications and standards. It also licenses social and healthcare service providers.

• Supervision: Overseeing the quality and safety of social and healthcare services provided across the country. This includes monitoring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

• Handling Complaints: Investigating complaints related to social and healthcare services and professional conduct.

• Guidance and Advice: Providing guidance and advice to social and healthcare service providers and professionals on best practices and legal requirements.

• International Collaboration: Participating in international collaborations related to health and social care regulation.

Valvira works to ensure that social and healthcare services are safe, effective, and of high quality, and that professionals act ethically and in accordance with their professional duties. Its oversight extends to both public and private sector providers. Decisions made by Valvira can be appealed in administrative court. The agency collaborates with other government agencies, municipalities, and stakeholder organizations in the social and healthcare sector.