Meilahti campus area. Photo: Mikko Hinkkanen / HUS
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A growing number of senior appointments made by the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS) have been overturned by the courts, following allegations of unlawful hiring procedures and systemic favouritism.
Since 2020, the Helsinki Administrative Court has handled nine appeals concerning HUS appointments. In more than half of the cases, the court annulled the original decisions, citing procedural failures and unjust treatment of qualified applicants.
Two experienced physicians interviewed by Helsingin Sanomat described being unfairly excluded from senior positions despite strong credentials. In both cases, the court later ruled in their favour, nullifying the contested appointments.
The doctors, whose identities remain confidential, allege that HUS’s hiring processes were superficial or entirely absent. According to their account, preferred candidates were effectively pre-selected, with formal recruitment processes serving as a facade.
They described an internal culture marked by favouritism and informal networks, where existing staff or known associates were prioritised. Both suggested that gender bias also played a role in certain appointments, contributing to what they see as a persistent and discriminatory pattern within the organisation.
Each doctor initially filed a request for correction with HUS’s governing board. After their appeals were rejected, they brought their cases before the administrative court, which ultimately sided with them.
Despite their legal victories, both highlighted the personal cost of the appeals process. They described the years-long proceedings as mentally exhausting and financially burdensome, discouraging others from challenging similar injustices.
The doctors criticised the hospital district’s political board as ineffective, describing it as a “rubber stamp” with no real oversight. They also expressed frustration that court rulings led to no consequences for those responsible for unlawful decisions.
Responding to the findings, HUS CEO Matti Bergendahl acknowledged the broader issue.
“There have traditionally been cases in the public sector where it’s felt that positions were already informally assigned before the recruitment process,” Bergendahl said. “This should no longer happen. We are doing everything we can to prevent it.”
Bergendahl did not consider the number of overturned appointments especially high in relation to the size of the organisation, which employs around 3,500 doctors and more than 27,000 staff in total. Still, he conceded that the goal should be zero.
He said HUS had taken steps to improve hiring transparency, including clarifying recruitment guidelines and strengthening oversight.
“We are strongly committed to legality and good governance. When mistakes occur, we correct them,” Bergendahl said.
He added that both internal and external monitoring processes are in place and are being reinforced.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
