The improvements have included major changes in the environment of both patients and staff, although the number of bed and treatment rooms has not changed.

Bernard Gerritsma, head of the ward and Valborg Lúðvíksdóttir, assistant head of the ward, welcomed guests who were pleased to have the opportunity to check the facilities before clients move in:

“We are very pleased with these changes, which were necessary. Staff facilities were inadequate and access to records and general planning was limited on duty. The change in the shift room also gives a better overview of the ward as a whole. Furthermore, improvements were needed in the patient spaces, flooring, air conditioning and lighting, as well as painting the wards’s walls. The need for a single-room, an increase in spaces and access to outdoor areas will not be met until the new psychiatric unit is built in the coming years, however, the renovation of the current premises is coming in extremely well.”

While the number of beds has not increased, the facilities are all better and special attention was paid to the improvement of the work facilities of the staff.

“The project began when the ward closed on 7 August. Now, 10 weeks later, we can finally show the results, which will make it easier for both staff and patients to enjoy a safer and better environment,” says Karl Ólafur Hinriksson, team manager of housekeeping.

The work period was short and there were many employees of SAk who had to work at the same time in the same areas to make the project work.

The opening of the improved psychiatric unit is a major step towards improving the service and care of clients at SAk. 2025 is the first shovel-in to a building at SAk where all the services of the psychiatric unit will come together in one area.