Emergency Department Under Extreme Pressure
Runólfur Pálsson, CEO of Landspítali National University Hospital in Iceland, has voiced serious concerns regarding the persistent critical conditions within the hospital's emergency department. Despite the upcoming addition of new care spaces, Pálsson stated that these measures are 'not enough to improve the situation to the extent required' and that the emergency department has gone 'far beyond all limits'. The department, designed to accommodate 36 patients, has at times treated up to 100 individuals, leading to severe overcrowding.
The challenging environment has led to patients being housed in unconventional temporary facilities, including a parking garage in Fossvogur, to manage patient flow and infection control amidst surges in infectious illnesses. This situation has been described as 'completely unacceptable' by hospital officials.
New Spaces and Persistent Shortages
Iceland's Health Minister, Alma Möller, recently announced the imminent opening of 17 new nursing care spaces and 28 day-care spaces, with an additional 100 spaces planned for Urðarhvarf in the coming months. While acknowledging that 'every addition helps,' Pálsson emphasized the need for more rapid and comprehensive solutions to address the long-standing issues.
A significant factor contributing to the strain is the presence of over 100 elderly patients occupying hospital beds while awaiting placement in nursing homes, further exacerbating bed shortages within the hospital. Staff unions, including the Icelandic Nurses Association, have raised concerns about working conditions and patient privacy, with reports of mass resignations among nurses due to stressful environments.
Impact of Construction Delays
A primary cause for the ongoing capacity issues stems from substantial delays in critical construction projects. The new treatment center at Hringbraut, initially slated for completion in 2024, is now not expected to be fully operational until 2029–2030. Similarly, an acute assessment unit in Fossvogur, which was projected for late 2025, is now anticipated to be ready around April–May.
Pálsson highlighted that these delays have left the hospital without the necessary facilities to house its operations and provide essential services. He stressed that 'intervention is unavoidable' and that the current conditions cannot persist until the completion of the Hringbraut facilities. The hospital's emergency room was to be moved to the new Hringbraut building, and an expansion of the current emergency room, with a new 25-bed ward for critical cases, is planned, with ISK 650 million allocated from the 2025 budget.
Long-Term Challenges and Calls for Action
The Landspítali CEO noted that the hospital is grappling with the consequences of significant societal changes, including population growth and an aging demographic, which have placed increased pressure on the healthcare system. He reiterated that the situation has become so severe that 'we cannot continue like this'. The hospital's administration is in discussions to find all possible rapid solutions to bridge the gap until the new facilities are completed.
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