Landspítali says patient backlog is the best this century

Landspítali says it has not had a better position this century when it comes to patients waiting for nursing-home places or other suitable care. The hospital’s pressure has eased considerably in recent weeks as more places for older people have opened.

A total of 244 new places have become available over the past 12 months. They include 64 nursing places at Boðaþing in Kópavogur, 80 at Nesvellir in Reykjanesbær and 100 short-term nursing places at Urðarhvarf. Vífilsstaðir has also reopened after extensive renovations, with 48 places.

Runólfur Pálsson, Landspítali’s chief executive, said conditions had improved markedly in recent weeks. He said the number of people waiting for a permanent solution had rarely been as low in recent years.

Pálsson also cautioned that the situation could change quickly, making it necessary to continue expanding care options outside the hospital. Health Minister Alma D. Möller said the increase in nursing places had already produced important results for patients who received suitable care and for Landspítali’s operations.

The government plans to open 154 new nursing places in 2027 and another 251 in 2028.

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Conditions have improved considerably in recent weeks, and rarely in recent years have so few people been waiting for a permanent solution.