The Healthcare Institution of West Iceland provides primary and secondary healthcare in the health district of West Iceland in accordance with the laws and regulations at any given time. The service is provided to residents of the district and others seeking it.

The emphasis is on respect, trust and professionalism. The welfare of clients should be taken into consideration.

Active continuous and re-education of staff is promoted. HVE participates in the education of health professions in cooperation with the University of Iceland, the University of Akureyri and other educational institutions.

The core activities are divided into three areas of focus, namely health care, nursing and healthcare.

Health Care Department

The role of the health care unit is to provide medical, nursing and mental health services, health protection, prevention, accident and emergency services, caring for ambulance transport and operating a mental health team that provides secondary health care.

There are eight health clinics in the area.

Nursing

The role of the nursing department is to operate nursing homes/ departments in four locations, namely Silfurtún in Búðardalur, nursing department in Hólmavík, nursing department in Hvammstangi and Systraskjól in Stykkishólmi. Rest and rehabilitation interventions are offered to support individuals' ability to live in their own home for as long as possible.

Medical field

The role of the medical department is to operate a district hospital in Akranes which serves residents of the health district in West Iceland and others seeking services. Special emphasis is placed on safe day-to-day services. In addition to primary care, the hospital provides a wide range of specialist services in the fields of medicine, surgery, orthopaedic medicine, gynaecology and obstetrics, as well as rehabilitation, research and imaging services for inpatients and on outpatient wards. In addition, there is a wide range of outpatient services by specialist physicians at the hospital.

In Stykkishólmur there is a specialized rehabilitation unit that treats neck and back pain, which is available to all Icelanders, as well as four general hospital beds.

The following municipalities belong to the health district of West Iceland

Akraneskaupstaður, Hvalfjarðarsveit, Skorradalshreppur, Borgarbyggð, Eyja- og Miklaholtshreppur, Snæfellsbær, Grundarfjarðarbær, sveitarfélagið Stykkishólmur, Dalabyggð, Reykhólahreppur, Strandabyggð, Kaldrananeshreppur, Árneshreppur and Húnaþing vestra.