The Minister of Health, Alma Möller, has appointed a working group to work on the definition and role of a secondary hospital in terms of contingency plans, emergency response, the National Security Council, ambulance services, research services and the law on healthcare. The Minister’s letter states that it is important to clarify the role of SAk as a secondary hospital, i.e. what services must be provided and what equipment must be available, especially related to emergency services. National security policy, civil protection laws and contingency plans should be taken into account, as well as assessment of the National Hospital and other institutions’ ability to respond to unforeseen circumstances.

“Important”

Hildigunnur Svavarsdóttir, CEO of SAk, will be a member of the working group. She says it is a real pleasure that the Minister has decided to appoint the working group. “It is extremely important to us that the role of SAk as the country’s secondary hospital is clear, as we have great ambition to fulfill our role professionally and with integrity, for the good of the whole country,” Hildigunnur says on this occasion.

Representatives of institutions appointed

The work group is made up of representatives of a number of institutions, the chairperson of the group is Guðlaug Rakel Guðjónsdóttir, without a designation. In addition to Hildigunnur, the work group will include those nominated by Landspítali, Icelandic Health Insurance, the Directorate of Health, New Landspítali o.hf., the Department of Civil Protection, as well as a member appointed jointly by the Health Institutions of Eastern Iceland, the West Fjords and the North. A specialist from the Ministry of Health will be a member of the group. See the Ministry of Health's report here: