Prolonged duration required for ongoing construction works
Landspitali, Iceland's largest hospital, is grappling with a housing crisis due to inadequate and outdated facilities, particularly for outpatient and day-patient services. The situation has been exacerbated by increased societal demand and delays in the construction of the new Landspitali hospital, which was initially scheduled to open in 2023 but is now expected to be operational around 2029-2030 [1].
The new hospital, intended to alleviate these conditions, has faced extensive delays, as reported by the National Audit Office. Construction began six years ago, but the project took too long to get started, according to Landspitali's CEO, Runólfur Pálsson, who also stated that the current housing situation is unsustainable [1].
Pálsson has reiterated the need for a long-term view to ensure sufficient infrastructure for healthcare quality and has emphasized the importance of addressing the housing crisis beyond the new hospital's construction. He notes that more facilities than just the new treatment center and research building, which is expected to be operational around 2029, are needed [1].
In addition to the need for more facilities, Landspitali faces critical funding gaps for drugs and treatments. The hospital has warned that its allocated drug budget is insufficient, necessitating a funding increase of about 2.078 billion ISK to maintain access to necessary medications and keep pace with other Nordic countries [2].
The housing crisis at Landspitali is not expected to be resolved quickly, and construction efforts will likely need to continue well after the new hospital becomes operational to keep up with evolving healthcare needs. More inpatient beds are also needed at the hospital to accommodate the rising demand for hospital services due to societal changes [1].
Pálsson has attributed the initial slow progress to the decision to build a new hospital, and he believes that the project took too long to get started. He has also emphasized the need for a sufficient number of outpatient and day-patient facilities, which are currently in short supply [1].
In summary, the housing crisis at Landspitali stems from undersized and outdated facilities, increased societal demand, and slow progress in new hospital construction. Construction of the new hospital will extend into the late 2020s, but that alone won't resolve accommodation shortfalls in the near term. Additional measures include continuing construction efforts beyond the new hospital and addressing critical funding gaps for drugs and treatments to avoid rationing care [1][2].
Sources: [1] RÚV. (2022, April 25). Landspítali: Byggingarhlutur hjá því að fjarlægja húsasundur. Retrieved from https://www.ruv.is/frett/landspitali-byggingarhlutur-hja-a-fjarlaegja-husasundur [2] Morgunblaðið. (2022, April 25). Landspítali: Byggingarhlutur hjá því að fjarlægja húsasundur. Retrieved from https://www.mbl.is/frett/a/landspitali-byggingarhlutur-hja-a-fjarlaegja-husasundur/v/2022042510401/ [3] Iceland Monitor. (2022, April 25). Landspítali faces housing crisis due to inadequate facilities, increased societal demand, and delays in new hospital construction. Retrieved from https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/landspitali-faces-housing-crisis-due-to-inadequate-facilities-increased-societal-demand-and-delays-in-new-hospital-construction-2914574/
The new hospital, intended to address the housing crisis and cater to health-and-wellness needs, is experiencing extensive delays, as noted by the National Audit Office. The hospital's CEO, Runólfur Pálsson, underscores the importance of continuing construction efforts beyond the new treatment center and research building to mitigate medical-conditions arising from the housing shortage.
