new long-term agreement with Ljósið signed

The Minister of Health, the CEO of Iceland Health and the representatives of Ljósið today signed a new long-term agreement for four years on rehabilitation services for individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer. In 2020, a four-year service agreement was signed with Ljósið, which was valid until the end of 2023. Since that time, there has been no long-term contract with Ljósið, but with the new contract, the service is guaranteed for four years.

"It is extremely pleasing to sign a long-term contract with Ljósið. The value of the services provided in Ljósið has long since proven itself. The results are good and satisfaction with the service among Ljósið's clients is high. The operation of Ljósið has not been sufficiently predictable in recent years, but now sufficient funding for Ljósið has been secured and therefore it is finally possible to make a long-term agreement for the service," says Alma D. Möller, Minister of Health.

"It's a great cause for celebration that a long-term agreement has been reached with Ljósið. The agreement ensures important security and predictability for operations that have made a significant difference to thousands of individuals and their families in difficult times. The agreement also supports the continued development of the service and increased access throughout the country," says Sigurður H. Helgason, CEO of Iceland Health.

The maximum amount of the contract is just over ISK 487 million per year. This is an interdisciplinary and comprehensive rehabilitation service in rehabilitation levels III and IV that has been specially adapted to the needs of individuals diagnosed with cancer. The agreement is based on a combination of fixed payments and payments for completed work according to the tariff and also places great emphasis on the quality of the service and systematic follow-up. Ljósið's rehabilitation services will continue to be free of charge.

In the new agreement, special emphasis is placed on strengthening the access of individuals in rural areas to specialized rehabilitation services, including through increased remote services and education for health professionals in the local area.

"We at Ljósið are very grateful to the Minister of Health and the Budget Committee for the important support that this new long-term agreement entails. It is important to us that the value of the services that have been built up in Ljósið over the last twenty years is appreciated. The agreement establishes the health services that have repeatedly demonstrated great benefits for our service recipients and society as a whole. The financing of the health service is now secured. Ljósið must continue to rely on the support of the public and well-wishers to provide housing and equipment as necessary so that we can continue to provide services of the same quality," says Erna Magnúsdóttir, founder and CEO of Ljósið.