A new care home at Sólvang was opened today.

A new and magnificent 60-bed care home in Hafnarfjörður, which replaces the old Sólvang, was formally opened today. The first residents are scheduled to move in at the beginning of August. The old Sólvang will continue to serve the elderly, and ultimately, the number of nursing rooms at Sólvang will increase from 59 to 93.

„This is a big day for the people of Hafnarfjörður and the surrounding areas, and a day of joy for all of us who are passionate about improving services and conditions for the elderly.“ said Svandís Svavarsdóttir, Minister of Health, at the opening of the home today. The new Sólvangur is built under a so-called lease scheme, which means that the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður has managed the project entirely. The financing of the project is based on an agreement between the state and the municipality for payments over forty years. The state's share amounts to 85% of the total cost, compared to 15% for the municipality. The care home is built in accordance with the requirements and standards for the construction of care homes, where its size, layout and facilities are designed to promote the best possible service for its residents. Sóltún öldrunarþjónusta ehf. will operate the new care home, the result of a tender process conducted by the National Health Insurance Fund. Sóltún will also operate 14 day care places in the premises of the former Sólvangur.

34 nursing places to be added at Sólvang

Last year, the authorities in Hafnarfjörður requested authorisation from the Minister of Health to use the premises of the old Sólvang for 33 nursing beds in addition to the 60 that will be in the new building. The request fitted well with the government's plans for a major expansion of nursing home places by 2023, and the minister granted the requested permission. It was noted that there is an urgent need for more nursing beds in the capital region, and that the increase would also strengthen the operational efficiency of the care home. Furthermore, it is clear that although the premises will require significant refurbishment, the changes will require far less funding than a new build would.. For several years, we have been emphasising the establishment of a comprehensive service centre for older people in Hafnarfjörður on the Sólvang site. Today marks a milestone in that vision. The day centre for the elderly is now operational on the ground floor of the old Sólvangur building, and the premises are also ideal for physiotherapy, social activities for older people, and a canteen, to name but a few. The old Sólvangur building will continue to be used for the benefit of the elderly, and before long, renovations to the building will be undertaken. It is very pleasing to see the plans for a care centre in this beautiful area become a reality, and for Sólvangur to house a variety of professional services and training for older people in the future.„ says Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Mayor of Hafnarfjörður.

Temporary solution until the opening of a new nursing home at Sléttuvegur

There is a significant shortage of nursing home places in the capital region, but a major improvement is in sight with the opening of a new care home with 99 nursing residences on Sléttuvegur in Fossvogur. Therefore, before a major refurbishment of the old Sólvang is undertaken, it has been decided to entrust Sóltún ehf. with the temporary operation of 38 nursing places there until the opening of the home at Sléttuvegur.