Healthcare in Fiskars

Ironworks Doctors

The first ironworks doctor was hired as early as 1860, much earlier than most other large communities got their own doctors. Even before this, occasional healthcare was provided at the ironworks. At the end of the 19th century, a doctor’s salary composed of payments made by all the workers. The amount of money paid by each worker depended on their marital status: the married paid 1 mark, 50 pennies, and the unmarried 1 mark. After making the payment, they were all entitled for free healthcare. Other habitants of the ironworks received healthcare for a small fee. People living on poverty grants received free healthcare.

Lennart Holm worked as a doctor in Fiskars between 1904-1920

In addition to a salary, a doctor’s perks included a flat and firewood. From the beginning, Rosehill, situated on a hill behind Slaggbyggnaden, was used as a doctor’s quarters. At first, the practice was in Rosehill, and before a pharmacy was set up, the doctor also maintained a small medicine storage.

Rosehill: The doctor’s quarters in Fiskars

Fiskars hospital

The Fiskars Hospital was opened in 1892. In the beginning, the hospital had ten beds and one nurse. In the 1920’s, the beds were increased to thirteen, and a second nurse was hired. After renovations at the beginning of the 1920’s, the hospital was capable of having twenty patients, and there were four nurses. There was also a child health clinic and an operation theatre. As early as 1947, the Ironworks got its own ambulance. Quick ambulance service was needed, as occupational accidents occurred every now and then at the factories.

The hospital was closed in 1958. Nowadays the building serves as flats.