Consolidating safety investigation: Finland’s journey and the influence of the HSSIB (19 December 2024)

Summary

In Finland, the safety investigation of social and healthcare was initiated by SIAF (the Safety Investigation Authority Finland) in 2021. The branch for social and healthcare investigation is housed under the Safety Investigation Authority, alongside branches for aviation, railroad, maritime, and other accident investigations.

In Finland the establishment of a branch for health and social care safety investigation was preceded by extensive national and international preparatory work. As a part of this preparation, valuable advice and lessons were drawn from other international safety investigation organisations, particularly the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB).

Hanna Tiirinki of the Safety Investigation Authority Finland cites how HSSIB has significantly influenced Finland’s approach at the beginning of its national safety investigation journey.