Iceland to invest in cutting waiting lists
Waiting lists for some operation can reach three years. Photo: Eggert Jóhannesson
Iceland’s Health Minister has announced plans to invest ISK 1.26 billion (approx. €8.7 million) in cutting waiting lists for certain operations.
The proposal was presented at yesterday’s cabinet meeting and is the joint work of the Health Minister, Kristján Þór Júlíusson, and the Icelandic Finance Minister, Bjarni Benediktsson.
According to a Ministry of Health press release, waiting lists grew considerably while healthcare workers were on strike earlier this year .
Kristján Þór Júlíusson, Icelandic Minister for Health. Photo: Golli
Júlíusson’s work is based on recommendations from the Icelandic Directorate of Health taking into account current waiting times and the associated risks for specific operations.
The operation waiting lists targeted are: eye-lens surgery, knee and hip arthroplasty, and cardiovascular and/or coronary angiography. Waiting times for such operations can stretch to three years.
“Long waiting times impairs people’s quality of life and, in the case of heart surgery, long waiting times can be life-threatening,” reads the press release. “This situation is unacceptable and the Minister deems it necessary to shorten waiting lists and times. The aim is for most people to have their operation within three months of the surgery request being issued.”
The total cost of this initiative is estimated at ISK 1.165 billion for the extra surgery, plus a further ISK 95 million for rehabilitation, physical therapy and home nursing care.
Many healthcare professionals went out on strike earlier this year over pay and working conditions. Photo: Styrmir Kári
