New Nursing Facility Planned to Ease Pressure at Landspítali Hospital
2026-03-05 - 12:45
Iceland’s Minister of Health has said a new temporary nursing facility in Urðarhvarf, Kópavogur, could begin receiving patients within two weeks as authorities attempt to relieve pressure on the emergency department at Landspítali. As reported by RÚV, staff at the hospital say the emergency department is currently overcrowded and operating under significant strain. What's the Story? Overcrowding reported in the emergency department at Landspítali; hospital management sent a memorandum on the situation to Health Minister Alma Möller in February Eight staff members diagnosed with tuberculosis earlier this year; emergency staff requested transfer of 40–50 patients New nursing care facility planned at Urðarhvarf in Kópavogur with capacity for up to 100 patients, expected to begin operations in March Doctor in Iceland. Photo: Páll Stefánsson. Iceland Review. Hospital capacity strain Earlier this year, eight employees were diagnosed with tuberculosis, adding to concerns about conditions in the department. In February, hospital management sent a memorandum outlining the seriousness of the situation to Health Minister Alma Möller. The document stated that emergency department staff had requested that between 40 and 50 patients be transferred elsewhere to reduce pressure on the unit. Speaking on the programme Kastljós news programme on RÚV, the minister acknowledged the scale of the challenge and said the problem had developed over many years. Since 13 February, 50 elderly patients have been discharged from the emergency department. However, the minister said the demand for nursing care continues to increase. A new “waiting unit” for patients requiring nursing care is now being prepared in Urðarhvarf and is expected to accommodate up to 100 people when fully operational. “Of course, 100 won’t be moved at once, but it’s supposed to start, I expect in March. Urðarhvarf is our anchor.” The facility is expected to reach full capacity gradually over several weeks.