Life and Health

Healthcare Issues

The healthcare system is the cornerstone of society and underpins the prosperity of the nation. The healthcare system is based on a social foundation where the public sector ensures equal access for the population to essential healthcare services. Framsókn emphasises the importance of safeguarding the healthcare system and, above all, ensuring equal and timely access to robust healthcare services, regardless of economic status and residence.

Framsókn places public health considerations at the forefront of all policy-making. In light of the challenges the healthcare system faces in connection with the aging population, Framsókn emphasises increasing the importance of rehabilitation, prevention, and health-promoting measures. Improved public health is a shared interest of the entire society and will play a key role in ensuring the sustainability of the healthcare system for the future.

Healthcare Services

Significant improvements have taken place in the healthcare system during this term under the leadership of the Framsókn minister. The common thread in this reform work has been in line with Framsókn's policy of ensuring equal and timely access to healthcare services. This includes, most notably, agreements with specialist doctors after more than four years of standstill in agreements, increased access to joint replacement surgeries and endometriosis treatment, tripling funding for orthodontics, and increased participation in domestic travel expenses for necessary healthcare as the number of trips increased from two to three.

The operational foundation of major healthcare units like Landspítali, primary healthcare, healthcare institutions in rural areas, and Akureyri Hospital has been significantly strengthened. Additionally, staffing in healthcare services has been improving, and it is clear that the actions taken by the government are yielding results.

Framsókn wants healthcare services in Iceland to remain at the forefront and access to the services to be guaranteed.

Framsókn emphasises increased cooperation and efficiency within the system in providing healthcare services and that service-oriented financing be implemented to a greater extent. Framsókn stresses that efficient procurement and agreements with service providers play an important role in ensuring equal access to healthcare services in a mixed healthcare system.

Framsókn wants to ensure that the organisation of services supports continuity of care where service solutions seamlessly succeed one another, both between service levels and systems.

Framsókn believes there are still opportunities to increase access to various specialist services regardless of residence by implementing telemedicine to a greater extent, as proposed in recent agreements between Sjúkratryggingar and specialist doctors and the framework agreement with independent psychologists.

It is necessary to prioritise funding towards prevention and health-promoting measures for all age groups.

Framsókn wants to continue promoting improvements in the work environment of healthcare professionals, support innovation and science, and foster the advancement of services. Framsókn emphasises the establishment of a dedicated health science fund to further support research and science in the field of health sciences.

Framsókn stresses the importance of continuing on the path to enhancing medical specialization training in the country and that the number of study places in health sciences reflects the needs of society for the future.

Framsókn considers it urgent to explore all avenues to strengthen staffing in rural areas and continue to work towards equalising access to healthcare services regardless of residence.

To support staffing in rural healthcare services, Framsókn emphasises continuing the work of the Minister of Health in connection with activating provisions in the law on the student loan fund regarding incentives and loan repayment in defined areas.

It is important to strengthen primary healthcare services as the first point of contact for those who need healthcare services and ensure timely access to the services. Continued cooperation between institutions and regions is needed to ensure appropriate staffing and services throughout the country.

Framsókn considers it urgent to continue working towards reducing waiting times for public health-related procedures such as joint replacements, cataract operations, endometriosis surgery, back procedures, and other procedures that impair quality of life and individual function.

Framsókn also believes it is urgent to abandon the exclusion of defined groups from blood donation and adopt individual risk assessment.

Framsókn welcomes the important step taken by the Minister of Health to publish Iceland's first national plan for rare diseases. Rare diseases have widespread effects on relatives, and the burden increases as the disease worsens, making it crucial to improve the quality of life of individuals dealing with rare diseases.

Framsókn emphasises the importance of implementing the actions in the action plan on antibiotic resistance. Increased antibiotic resistance is expected to complicate the treatment of various diseases and infections, increase mortality rates, and raise costs in the healthcare system.

Mental Health Services

Framsókn emphasises that the actions outlined in the recently approved action plan on mental health should be funded and implemented. In line with Framsókn's policy, the plan suggests that mental health care, prevention, and early intervention should be the foundation of individuals' mental health. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on user-centred services at all levels of mental health services.

Framsókn believes it is sensible to continue strengthening the primary mental healthcare services of primary healthcare centres to support early intervention and prevent further illnesses. During this term, regional mental health teams have been established with additional funding, and the number of psychologist positions within primary healthcare has also increased. Framsókn believes it is essential to continue building and reinforcing mental health teams nationally, so they are accessible to those who need the service.

Framsókn emphasises that the housing of the psychiatric department of Landspítali should be prioritised in the second phase of the overall development of Landspítali, and the department should be located in a place that offers a recovery-oriented environment.

Framsókn welcomes the significant progress made in reducing the waiting time for children's mental health services and stresses the importance of continuing to explore all ways to shorten all waiting lists for mental health services.

Assisted Death

Framsókn wants to promote an open discussion about assisted death and to pass legislation that, under well-defined conditions and strict criteria, assisted death becomes a real and humane option.

Public Health and Prevention

Framsókn supports the priorities outlined in the public health action plan approved during this term.

Framsókn wants public health assessments to be incorporated into Icelandic legislation to ensure assessments are conducted before decisions are made that may affect the public health of the nation, in line with the public health action plan until 2027, where public health assessment will be part of the sustainability assessments of legislative proposals in Parliament.

Framsókn wants to launch a national initiative on public health-related prevention to empower individuals towards activity and improved health in Icelandic society. This is a significant investment in people.

Framsókn wants to greatly strengthen public health and prevention in the healthcare system and leverage the strengths of the Icelandic Sports Association, sports and youth clubs nationwide, non-profits, healthcare companies, and fitness centres for this purpose.

Framsókn wants to further increase funding for the public health fund to support important projects in a wide range of public health and prevention fields.

Framsókn welcomes the new cancer plan for Iceland, which is currently in development. Framsókn believes it is essential to initiate organized screenings for colorectal cancer here in the country.

Framsókn wants to enhance diverse prevention measures across a broad spectrum and raise awareness about the importance of exercise, sleep, and diet, as well as the effects of stress on mental well-being.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention

Framsókn supports the work initiated by the Minister of Health in relation to comprehensive policy formulation in the field of alcohol and substance abuse prevention, which covers prevention, treatment options, follow-up care, rehabilitation, and regulatory environment.

Framsókn emphasises a harm-reduction approach in alcohol and substance abuse issues. The harm-reduction philosophy should be part of the solutions within the healthcare system in all health districts of the country. Harm reduction aims to reduce the harmful consequences of certain behaviours or lifestyles, regardless of whether they are desirable, legal, or illegal. Framsókn welcomes the landmark work initiated by the Minister of Health with Iceland's first harm reduction strategy.

Framsókn believes it is important to work towards the goal of reducing the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine products in line with the plans of the World Health Organization, which representatives of Iceland have agreed to. Framsókn considers it sensible for nicotine products to be included under government tobacco legislation.

Framsókn wants to maintain the state's monopoly on alcohol sales and opposes legislation to permit domestic online retail of alcohol to consumers competing with the state, in light of important public health considerations.

Framsókn believes it is urgent to protect children's interests with strong prevention measures concerning alcohol and substance abuse. Framsókn considers it important to closely monitor the public health indicators of the Directorate of Health and respond to their undesirable developments with targeted and evidence-based prevention measures.