It was noted that the hospital’s revenues had increased by nearly ISK 1,300 million year-on-year, or approximately 9.7%. Most of the revenue growth came through allocations and transfers between budget items, with the largest contributions coming from the contingency fund, compensation for the termination of agreements with the Icelandic Health Insurance (SÍ), special funding for projects such as joint replacement surgeries, the establishment of the Akureyri Clinic, staff re-recruitment, and performance-based financing.

Performance-based financing yields results
SAk received, for the second time, an allocation from the so-called incentive pool tied to performance-based funding. The hospital’s output was approximately 4% above target, resulting in a contribution of over ISK 200 million from the joint incentive pool.

Significant challenges due to long-term sick leave
Long-term sick leave has increased substantially in recent years, now averaging the equivalent of 34 full-time positions—effectively a whole department absent at any given time. The cost of long-term sick leave amounted to ISK 516 million in 2024, representing about 4.8% of SAk’s total salary costs. The Chief Financial Officer emphasized the need for targeted action to address this trend and to make use of the measures already implemented to reverse it.

Need for a stable financial foundation
In her speech, SAk CEO Hildigunnur Svavarsdóttir discussed the results achieved through the concerted efforts of staff, management, and the Ministry of Health. However, she stressed that the hospital’s financial foundation must become more solid and predictable in the future:
"We scrutinize every króna and make efficiencies wherever we can—but if we are to maintain and develop the level of service that the community is entitled to, the funding must be stable and clearly defined."