{"id":6784,"date":"2025-09-22T09:45:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T07:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotedatalab.fi\/?post_type=uutinen&p=6784"},"modified":"2026-02-19T16:51:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:51:24","slug":"julkaisimme-aineistot-jotka-sisaltavat-matka-ajat-kaikille-suomen-terveysasemille-maakuntakohtaisesti-katso-milta-uusi-paivitetty-matka-aikoihin-perustuva-tyokalu-nayttaa-paijat-hameessa","status":"publish","type":"uutinen","link":"https:\/\/sotedatalab.fi\/en\/uutinen\/julkaisimme-aineistot-jotka-sisaltavat-matka-ajat-kaikille-suomen-terveysasemille-maakuntakohtaisesti-katso-milta-uusi-paivitetty-matka-aikoihin-perustuva-tyokalu-nayttaa-paijat-hameessa\/","title":{"rendered":"We published materials containing travel times for all health centres in Finland by region - see how the new updated travel time-based tool looks like in P\u00e4ij\u00e4t-H\u00e4me"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the SoteDataLab project, we have produced travel time data describing travel times from inhabited map boxes to public health centres in all regions of Finland. In addition to the finished materials, we now published the code used to produce them. In addition, we present a tool that can be used to view travel times from each inhabited square of P\u00e4ij\u00e4t-H\u00e4me to the nearest health centre and to simulate changes to the health centre network.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the calculation of our data based on?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the blog<\/a> published in June, we presented a method for estimating travel times by car from different starting points in the province to health centres. Now the data from all Finnish provinces are ready and freely available. The calculation is based entirely on public data sources, and the calculation code is now also openly available. A similar method can be used to calculate distances from inhabited squares not only to public health centres, but also to private health service outlets or even to banks, grocery stores, pharmacies or anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The definition of the inhabited area is based on Statistics Finland's 2023 grid database. The locations of the health stations were compiled from the websites of the wellbeing services counties and linked to Statistics Finland's 250 \u00d7 250 m squares. Travel times by car were calculated between the centers of the inhabited squares and the health centre squares. The calculation algorithm utilizes OpenStreetMap's road network data, which contains comprehensive information about the Finnish road network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Content and coverage of the data<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final datasets contain information on the starting points (identification of the resident screen), the destination points (identification of the health centre screen) and the distance travelled by car between them. The travel time is stated in minutes. The identifiers of the squares are based on Statistics Finland's 250 m \u00d7 250 m squares, which cover the entire area of Finland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The material is built on a parity level: it includes travel times from each inhabited box to each health centre box within the province. Later, we will also publish the corresponding materials at least to the on-call service points and to the offices of the largest private chains of medical centres. There are some limitations to the data. Individual travel times are missing in cases where the algorithm is unable to establish a path between two points. In addition, ferry connections have not been taken into account, so trips between the archipelago and the mainland are not included in the data. The codes and final materials can be found at the following link: <\/strong>https:\/\/github.com\/SoteDataLab\/travel_times<\/a>.<\/em> A more detailed description of the materials and how the materials were created can be found Attached to the blog<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Updated tool to visualize travel times \u2013 example P\u00e4ij\u00e4t-H\u00e4me<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on the travel time data, we have developed a tool that illustrates how travel times can be utilised in the analysis of the health service network. With the help of the tool, it is possible to view the travel times from the inhabited squares (so far in P\u00e4ij\u00e4t-H\u00e4me) to the nearest health station. From the user interface menu or directly from the map by clicking on the health station, you can remove individual health stations from the map and see how the travel time to the nearest health station changes. In addition, the menu above the map shows the average travel time of the wellness area, which is updated according to the selections. A maximum of four health stations can be removed from the map at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should be noted that the travel times have been calculated internally within the wellbeing services county, i.e. if the nearest health centre is located outside the borders of P\u00e4ij\u00e4t-H\u00e4me, this connection is not reported in this dataset for the time being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the follow-up work, we aim to expand the network of health centres from health centres to on-call centres and medical centres of the largest private producers, as well as to ease the restriction that, for the time being, travel times have been calculated only within the region. In addition, we are expanding the mapping tool to cover all well-being areas in Finland. We are constantly developing the tool, which means that you can contact us at a low threshold if you have any suggestions or wishes about the tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try the map below!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n<\/iframe>\n\n