35 million krónur awarded in quality and innovation grants
The Minister of Health has allocated nearly 35 million Icelandic krónur in quality and innovation grants for 12 projects. This time, special emphasis was placed on health promotion and the use of new solutions to improve quality, service, and efficiency. The projects needed to have a clear benefit for the healthcare service and the group that the service is aimed at. The deadline to apply for grants was 1 May last year, and 32 applications were received for various projects. The allocation committee made up of representatives from the Ministry of Health evaluated the applications and made recommendations to the minister regarding grant awards.
Image: stjornarradid.is
Testing a telehealth solution for lung diseases and diabetes
The South Iceland Health Service and the Safety Centre received the highest grant amounting to 6 million Icelandic krónur to adapt, implement, and test telehealth software from a Norwegian health technology company for one year. The software connects various health technology solutions, such as medication dispensers, measuring devices, educational materials, and video consultations. Patients will have one unified user interface where they can overview their measurements and information.
Tele-rehabilitation for individuals with neck injuries
NeckCare Holding ehf. Received a grant of 4 million Icelandic krónur to expand a system that includes biomechanical tests to assess the condition of individuals who have suffered neck injuries. The tests assist doctors and physiotherapists in diagnosing the damage, getting to the root of it, and tailoring treatment for the patient. The aim of the project is for the patient to be able to use the system at home and perform customized exercises. The practitioner can control the type of exercises, level of difficulty, and on which days they should be performed. The results of the exercises are uploaded to a database to facilitate follow-up and ongoing treatment.
Other projects
Several projects received grants of 3 million Icelandic krónur. Among them is a project by the Capital Area Health Clinic focusing on health promotion for women in menopause, aimed at improving knowledge among both the public and health professionals about women's menopause.
The National University Hospital also receives a grant of 3 million Icelandic krónur for operating a vehicle for Laufey's primary service. Laufey's primary service within the psychiatric service of the National University Hospital serves individuals with long-term severe co-occurring mental health and substance use issues that significantly affect health and quality of life, operating according to the goals of a recovery-oriented philosophy, motivational interviewing, psychometrics, and harm reduction. The vehicle is intended to be used by staff for visits, thereby providing clients of the team with health and social services in a safe and clean environment.
The Ministry of Health congratulates the grant recipients on their success and wishes them well in the future.
The news was first published on stjornarradid.is on 22 August 2022.
