The National Advisory Board on Social Welfare and Health Care Ethics ETENE operates under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. It was set up in 1998. Initially its brief concerned ethical issues in health care, but in 2009 this was broadened to include social welfare.
The Advisory Board was set up pursuant to the Act on the Status and Rights of Social Welfare Clients (812/2000, 657/2009) and the Act on the Status and Rights of Patients (785/1992, 658/2009). The duties and membership of the Advisory Board were defined by Government Decree 667/2009. The Government appoints the members of the Advisory Board for a term of four years.
The ETENE plan of action for 2010-2014 will be adopted at the organising meeting of the new membership in autumn 2010.