The merger has resulted in positive changes and streamlining of collaboration and professional communication between healthcare institutions in North Iceland. It is much easier to maintain high-level IT, which is in fact a prerequisite for working well together across a large geographical area. The merger was accompanied by significant synergies in continuous training of staff, which greatly increased the potential for collaboration and strong retraining, which has led to new and constructive projects in the healthcare sector.

HSN operates on a large geographical area from Blönduós in the west to Þórshöfn in the east, which has a population of approximately 38,000, and operates 18 separate units in approximately 40,000 square meters of premises. This is a large workplace, with 625 employees in 455 positions. There are 120 nurses, 95 paramedics and 55 doctors in 45 positions. There are also countless jobs for essential members of psychosocial services, occupational and physical training and care, as well as those who provide support services of various kinds. Today there are 12-13 doctors in speciality training in general medicine at HSN and we welcome a number of students in longer or shorter internship every year.

HSN usually communicates with approximately 1000 residents of North Iceland every day and home healthcare staff registers approximately 80,000 communications with service recipients every year. The hospital’s doctors are expected to make 2-3 emergency calls by ambulance every day, but the area is always staffed with ten doctors on duty in response to accidents or illnesses of residents. When a serious accident occurred in Öxnadalur this summer, 8 doctors and 5 nurses from HSN attended the scene of the accident from three different facilities.

HSN's role is widespread in the community. We manage all general health care services through the reception and shift services of primary care physicians, home nursing, nursing reception, infant and maternity care, primary school health care, nursing in secondary schools and psychosocial services for adults and children, as well as other aspects. We also run a number of nursing and hospital spaces in the area.

We are proud to have been able to take part in leading exciting new projects, the most recent example being the institution’s signing of a collaboration agreement with the Akureyri Hospital and the Ministry of Health on the operations of the Akureyri Clinic, which provides services to ME patients nationwide. HSN also took over the tasks of the children’s mental health team in North and East Iceland, which was strengthened by new and strong professionals. The team starts working today on the 10th anniversary of HSN.

In general, the Healthcare Institution of North Iceland has enjoyed the benevolence of the government for the last 10 years and has received increased funding to increase and improve services. In particular, the increase in staff in Akureyri, where the healthcare situation was extremely weak 10 years ago. The institution has operated a restraintful financial policy and its operations have generally been balanced.

The Healthcare Institution of North Iceland is a key institution in the community. It is dedicated to creating a good framework for good staff, and its role is to provide the population with a high level of health care that contributes to their well-being and health. We will continue to play our important role with dedication, professionalism and respect.

Congratulations to all of HSN employees and the people of the North Iceland.