Wille Rydman, Finland's newly appointed Minister of Social Affairs and Health, has expressed his commitment to addressing the language proficiency of foreign caregivers during the current government term. During an appearance on MTV's 'Suoraan asiaan' program, Rydman highlighted the growing concern over healthcare personnel who are unable to effectively communicate in Finnish or Swedish, which poses significant risks to patient safety, especially for elderly patients and those suffering from dementia. He emphasized the need for measures to ensure that caregivers can provide adequate service and communicate effectively with their patients.

Rydman suggested that one potential solution could involve implementing stricter language testing for foreign caregivers. As he prepares to take on this role, he plans to explore various avenues to promote better language skills among caregivers, aiming to enhance the overall quality of care. This focus on language proficiency is particularly relevant given the recent influx of healthcare workers from abroad to address staff shortages in Finland's healthcare sector.

In a related discussion, Virpi Holmqvist, CEO of Attendo, revealed in an interview with Iltalehti the challenges faced during the integration of approximately 1,000 Filipino caregivers and 500 others from different countries into Finland's healthcare system. Holmqvist's insights shed light on the practical difficulties observed in the arrival of foreign caregivers, which underscores the importance of addressing language barriers as part of the broader conversation on improving Finland's healthcare workforce amidst ongoing demographic changes.