Heilsugæsla höfuðborgarsvæðisins
Services of the health centers
Fifteen health ceners within Heilsugæsla höfuðborgarsvæðisins provide coordinated services. More details can be found on the website for each center.
For consultation on urgent matters phone 1700 or use the chat function on Heilsuvera.
Telephone advice from a nurse is always available. A telephone consultation with a doctor must be scheduled in advance.
Through my pages on Heilsuvera patients can easily communicate electronically with the healthcare professionals providing their care at the center.
Advice for urgent matters is available via Heilsuvera’s chat service, as well as by telephone 24 hours a day by calling 1700.
You can see a doctor by appointment, which can be booked by calling the clinic.
If the matter is urgent and cannot wait, you can contact the service by calling 1700 or via Heilsuvera’s online chat.
Through My Pages on Heilsuvera, it is easy to send messages to the clinic’s staff.
It is also possible to book a telephone consultation with a doctor.
Maternal and child health services are available to all children and are free of charge for those covered by health insurance.
Parents of newborn babies are offered home visits during the first weeks. Thereafter, they are invited to attend scheduled check-ups at the primary healthcare center with their child.
During home visits, a nurse examines the child and assesses their development, weight, and head circumference. Parents receive guidance and education regarding infant care and their own well-being.
When the child is six weeks old, a medical examination is offered at the health center and then the vaccinations start.
Prenatal care is the starting point of the healthcare services. Expectant parents may seek services from the health center in their local area or choose another center and register there.
Prenatal care is free of charge for those covered by health insurance. Appointments and examinations are offered from the beginning of pregnancy through delivery.
The first appointment with a midwife is often conducted by telephone shortly after the pregnancy is confirmed. The number of prenatal visits depends on individual circumstances, most commonly 7–10 visits. Between appointments, telephone advice from a midwife is available.
Services for people with chronic health conditions focus on the following conditions:
Type 2 diabetes
Overweight and obesity
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Cardiovascular disease
High blood pressure
Services are tailored to individual needs and may include:
Health assessment
Individual care plan
Follow-up care
Tests and examinations
Medications and medication review
Motivational interviews
Preventive care
Services for people with chronic health conditions are often provided following an appointment with a doctor. They may also be booked separately. Please contact your health center if you wish to access these services.
The Exercise Prescription is a treatment for conditions where regular physical activity is known to have a beneficial effect.
Physical therapists create an exercise plan tailored to the individual’s condition, physical abilities, and motivation.
The individual logs their exercise electronically, and the physical therapist monitors progress, providing guidance and encouragement through phone calls and messages via Heilsuvera.
Medications are prescribed during a physician consultation.
You can request a refill for certain regularly used medications prescribed by the clinic’s physicians. Refills are usually ready for pickup at pharmacies the next business day but may take longer.
Antibiotics, strong pain medications, sedatives, and sleep medications can only be renewed during a physician consultation.
If you have questions or concerns about your medications, a clinic pharmacist can provide advice and review your medications.
Electronic prescription renewal
The easiest way to request a medication refill is through Heilsuvera. You will need electronic identification.
Telephone prescription renewal
Information about telephone numbers and hours for medication refills is available on the General Information page at each health clinic.
If you need a medical certificate for school or work, you can request one through My Pages on Heilsuvera.
For extended illness or other types of certificates, you must contact a physician.
Most certificates require a fee, which can be found in the price list.
Primary care physicians refer patients to specialists when necessary for issues they have been involved with.
When the specialist’s care is completed, a medical report is sent to the primary care physician to inform them of the results.
Nurses are available in elementary and secondary schools. They provide education, screenings, and vaccinations.
The nurses offer guidance to students, their families, and school staff.
You can contact the nurse by contacting the school.
Elderly health services aim to support mental, physical, and social well-being so that individuals can live at home for as long as possible.
Appointments with a nurse in elderly health services can be booked by calling the health center.
The nurse:
Assists in improving and adapting to changing health conditions.
Provides guidance on assistive devices and support equipment.
Offers advice on available services.
Those aged 70 and older are encouraged to schedule routine checkups with their primary care physician.
Various tests and examinations are performed at health centers.
Blood samples are usually taken in the morning. An appointment is typically required for blood draws, and a referral from a healthcare professional must always be provided. Fasting may be necessary before the blood test.
Urine samples are generally required to be handed in before 9:30am. It is recommended to provide the first morning urine unless otherwise instructed.
Call 1700 to receive telephone advice from a nurse 24 hours a day.
A dedicated emergency service for survivors of sexual violence is open 24 hours a day at the Landspítali hospital.
The first hours and days after an assault are very important, especially for collecting forensic evidence if the survivor decides to report the assault later.
You can also contact the primary care clinic during regular office hours, regardless of how much time has passed since the assault, for:
Guidance, support, education, and help with follow-up procedures.
Testing for infectious diseases, sexually transmitted infections, infections, pregnancy, or other related concerns.
Psychologists and social workers operate as part of multidisciplinary teams and work closely with schools and social services.
Psychologists provide counseling and therapy for children, adolescents, and their families, as well as for adults aged 18 and older.
Social workers assist individuals, couples, or families who face challenges that affect their health.
You can call your health center to check availability for an appointment.
Many also benefit from participating in courses or online therapy programs. Please note that these courses are generally offered in Icelandic.
Primary care clinics are open on weekdays during regular office hours. They provide care for people with acute illnesses and minor injuries.
The first step is to call the number 1700 or use the online chat on Heilsuvera.
A nurse will guide you on the next steps and provide advice. If you need to visit the primary care clinic, an appointment is usually scheduled the same day or the following day.
In urgent cases, services are always available during office hours.
A midwife with specialized training in birth control provides counseling and prescribes medications as needed. If an intrauterine device (IUD) or hormonal implant is requested, an appointment for insertion can be scheduled following the counseling session.
Appointments can be booked through My Pages on Heilsuvera. Each session lasts 45 minutes, and a service fee applies.
This service is available at Heilsubrú and several primary care clinics, and it is accessible to everyone.
The word prosperity is used to describe conditions that create the foundations for a child to achieve physical, psychological, intellectual, moral, and social development and health on their own terms into the future.
The Act on Integrated Services in the Interest of Children's Prosperity is intended to ensure that children and parents have easy access to the services they need and receive the right assistance at the right time from the appropriate providers. By connecting services and working collaboratively to support children’s prosperity, it becomes easier for children and parents to receive suitable assistance.
Child Prosperity Contact at the Health Center
During pregnancy and infancy the child’s contact person is a staff member at the child’s health center.
Please get in touch and request to speak with the child prosperity contact.
The contact person has the expertise to support parents and assist them in accessing appropriate services. In this way parents and children can turn to a single point of contact who has an overview of the entire service system.