Following a comprehensive review by the Directorate of Health of the mental health services at Akureyri Hospital (SAk), extensive improvements have been initiated to enhance the services and improve conditions for both patients and staff. A targeted improvement plan has been systematically implemented with the aim of strengthening SAk’s mental health services.

The Directorate of Health’s dashboard on respiratory infections has been updated with data through Week 1 of 2025 (December 30, 2024 – January 5, 2025).

The evaluation of the services of the Pre-Children’s House shows great satisfaction with the service and the holistic approach used in the work to improve the situation of the child and promote parents in their parenting role. The service is costly but investment in early intervention reduces the increased cost for the community later on.

The latest issue of the Icelandic Medical Journal features an article presenting the results of a study by three TR employees. The aim of the article was to analyse the development of diagnoses leading to a disability or rehabilitation pension since the year 2000. The focus was on the diagnoses that increased the most and the development by gender, age and origin.

The Minister of Social Affairs and Housing has approved a regulation on the payment of the December 2025 allowance for jobseekers. The aim is to complete the payment of the December supplement no later than 15.December 2025.

Minister of Health Alma D. Möller has decided to abolish the system of referrals for children for healthcare.

Digital Iceland continues to develop and improve digital solutions with regular updates on both core services and individual digital services. With the latest update we introduce both new functionality and additions and fixes aimed at increasing security, improving user experience and simplifying service processes for both individuals and companies.

A new issue of Talnabrunnur, the Directorate of Health’s newsletter on health statistics, has been published.

Eleonora Bergþórsdóttir and Kristín Fjóla Fannberg have been hired as legal experts at the Icelandic Data Protection Authority.

On April 30th, representatives from all five Oddfellow Lodges in Akureyri came together to present Akureyri Hospital (SAk) with a generous donation in support of the hospital's palliative care services.