HUCH also has a number of nationwide responsibilities in providing treatment of diseases that are very rare or demand specialized skills and equipment. In Finland, the treatment of cleft lips and palates, organ transplants, open heart surgery on infants and the poison information centre exemplify services which are provided exclusively by HUCH.

The Neuromag-122TM neuro-magnetometer covers the whole head and captures the complete field distribution generated by brain activity. The system employs 122 detectors to collect this information, making it possible accurately to follow cortical activity all over the head. This results in increased throughput, more reliable data and new experimental possibilities. The system opens a qualitatively new era in neuromagnetic studies. The Helsinki University Central Hospital has had a Neuromag-122 system in operation since 1. January 1995.

HUCH is also the most important emergency hospital in the Helsinki metropolitan area; in many specialties it is in fact the only hospital that is open round the clock.

But HUCH is not only a teaching hospital for medical students and doctors. Its facilities are used by other health care professionals as well, providing thousands of students each year the opportunity to gain clinical experience. For nonresidents, HUCH charges the actual costs of treatment and services rendered. To be admitted to a nursing unit or to visit an out patient clinic at HUCH, a referral from a physician and a commitment form contains an estimate of the costs of treatment. Although emergencies receive treatment without these papers, the billing principles remain the same. In difficult cases the hospital bill may rise considerably, so it is advisable to have a valid insurance.