A new framework agreement with SÁÁ strengthens access to and quality of addiction treatment

Iceland Health and SÁÁ have signed a new agreement on the treatment of addiction. The agreement consolidates four older agreements into one and marks a milestone in Icelandic healthcare with increased flexibility, clearer quality requirements, and improved prioritization in addiction treatment.

"The new agreement marks an important step towards increased flexibility, more targeted prioritization, higher efficiency, and clearer quality standards in addiction treatments in Iceland. It is gratifying and a significant milestone that a new comprehensive agreement is now in place, enhancing access and promoting more integrated services for substance use disorders," said Sigurður Helgi Helgason, CEO of Iceland Health, at the signing of the agreement.

The agreement involves more flexible forms of treatment where individuals receive care suited to their needs. A new day clinic treatment will be introduced in outpatient clinics, combining elements from inpatient treatment at Vogur and continued psychosocial treatment at Vík. This improves access to treatment and promotes equality, including for groups for whom inpatient care is less suitable. The SÁÁ addiction service will be strengthened to ensure better prioritization and that individuals receive appropriate resources at the right time. The agreement also places increased emphasis on incentives related to performance and outcomes, clearer quality standards, and cost analyses. Among the innovations is treatment for gambling addiction. In addition, child and family services will be enhanced with increased support, education, and psychological services for patients' children and their families.

The agreement is for four years and its financial framework amounts to approximately two billion ISK per year. It provides SÁÁ with increased flexibility to prioritize treatment according to current needs and simultaneously ensures better, more accessible, and more comprehensive services for individuals and families struggling with addictions.

"It is a great cause for celebration that a new comprehensive agreement has been reached with SÁÁ for four years, and the agreement reflects the government's emphasis on funding and increasing access to treatment services for addiction problems. I am confident that the agreement will lead to significant improvements, as it includes higher professional standards, increased flexibility for prioritization, and more diverse measures than before, such as stronger child and family services and treatment for gambling addiction," said Alma Möller, Minister of Health.