Repairs due to a recent fire at the Hrafnista nursing home on Sléttuveg are nearing completion, allowing the facility to take in 22 patients from Landspítali who have been waiting for nursing spaces. The fire caused significant disruptions, and while repairs on one department are finished, work on another will conclude in the coming months. This is expected to alleviate some of the pressure on Landspítali, which has been struggling with inadequate nursing space for patients needing care.

In recent weeks, the situation at Landspítali has reached a critical point, with up to 120 patients remaining hospitalized who could otherwise be discharged if sufficient nursing space was available. The influx of patients has led to a state of emergency in the emergency department and a phenomenon known as overflow, where patients are unable to be released due to a lack of available nursing care. This underscores the urgent need for more nursing facilities to address the growing demands on the healthcare system.

As Hrafnista prepares to welcome not only the initial group of 22 patients but potentially more in the upcoming months, the overarching hope is to alleviate the overwhelming stress on Landspítali and improve patient care. The collaboration with private healthcare providers who are also offering nursing spaces is vital in managing the ongoing healthcare challenges faced by the system in Iceland.