The Directorate of Health
Report of the Directorate of Health's working group on services for patients with POTS, ME, long COVID and related conditions
22nd October 2026
The Directorate of Health's working group report on services for patients with POTS, ME, long COVID and related conditions is published today. It reflects the work of a large group of professionals and representatives from patient organisations, which has been ongoing since autumn 2025.
-Automatic translation
In August 2025, the Ministry of Health tasked the Director of Health with establishing and leading a working group to address services for patients with ME, long COVID, POTS and related conditions.
Unfortunately, due to illness, Medical Director of Health María Heimisdóttir could not lead the group's work beyond the first few weeks. In her absence, the acting Director of Health asked the group's members to continue their work. Friðbjörn Sigurðsson, a physician, soon assumed leadership.
The Medical Director of Health formally received the group's report on 22 September and sent the Ministry of Health's responses and proposals to the Ministry's requests.
This landmark project involved representatives of patient organisations from the outset. Their contribution was invaluable, including their assessment of clinical guidelines for use in services for these patient groups.
In addition to the matters the Ministry specifically asked the group to examine, individual members added chapters on issues they considered important to highlight. This material will undoubtedly prove useful for further discussion and development.