The year has been eventful. The lack of staffing has been prominent and we face a big challenge to ensure enough staffing, not only at SAk, but at health institutions all over the world. This causes stress on staff, fatigue, increased sickness and no doubt hopelessness at times. The activities have increased in the vast majority of areas of the hospital, whether you look at arrivals at the emergency room, the increase number of tourists and increased arrivals at day and outpatient wards. Everywhere there is an increase in activity numbers. There is also an increased number of elderly people who need to be in SAk due to the fact that the resources in the area are not large enough for this group. This is not an ideal situation, neither for the elderly person nor for the healthcare professionals.

It is indeed in this darkest days that our society pulls together even better and cares for each other. We are lucky here at the Akureyri hospital to have experienced and warm-hearted colleagues, and together we do our best every day. We are confident that together we will solve the tasks and challenges that await us next year, because where there is will threre is a way. It helps to look at the future full of optimism and with anticipation for a new year with new challenges.

Akureyri Hospital wishes you all a happy holiday and a successful new year with heartfelt thanks for your understanding, cooperation and solidarity in the year that is passing, and it is our sincere wish that Christmas and the New Year will be happy for you and your families.

b.h. Board of Executives

Hildigunnar Svavarsdóttir, CEO