Site for a nursing home and talks on healthcare

Commitment for a site for a care home and discussions on healthcare

Emphasis on increasing and strengthening services for residents and the rapidly growing group of older people.

Hafnarfjörður Town Council approved at its meeting on 22 November last to grant Sóltúni heilbrigðisþjónustu ehf. a one-year option on plot no. 43 at Hringhamar in Hamranes. The plot, measuring 6,726 m², is zoned in the detailed plan for a nursing home, health centre and related services. This summer, the City of Hafnarfjörður invited tenders from interested developers and operators for the plot, seeking proposals for its development, service provision and operational model. In parallel, the local authorities in Hafnarfjörður have been in talks with the Capital Region Health Service about a new and state-of-the-art health centre in the municipality, to even better meet the needs of a growing population.

Land for a community service with 80 nursing places

On the plot at 43 Hringhamar, a building of up to five storeys is permitted, to house a care home, a health centre and related services. The plot's building envelope is generous, and within it, car parks, outdoor recreational areas, emergency vehicle access and buildings are to be provided. Provision is made for up to 80 standard nursing home places, where residents will have their own private rooms for use, along with communal areas and sheltered outdoor spaces. The site owner will enter into an agreement for the operation and construction of the service with the relevant government agency. „The life expectancy of Icelanders is rising rapidly, which means it is urgent to meet the needs of the growing elderly population with appropriate services. While it is important to offer a variety of resources that reduce the demand for more expensive services, there is also a growing need for an increase in nursing home places for the elderly who require round-the-clock healthcare.  We are answering that call by putting forward a proposal to build a new care home in Hamranes,“ says Halla Thoroddsen, CEO of Sóltún Health Services.

Will to have a new large health centre built in Hafnarfjörður as soon as possible

Recently, the local authorities in Hafnarfjörður have been in talks with the Capital Region Health Service about the development of a new health centre in Hafnarfjörður which would serve up to 20,000 people. The central area of Vallar is considered the most suitable location, but the fully-built neighbourhoods of Vallar, Skarðshlíðar, Hamraness and Ásland will have a population of around 13,000. Furthermore, a health centre in the area would also serve residents from other neighbourhoods of the town, and these figures necessitate the operation of a fairly large facility in the area. „There is a huge need to increase and strengthen services for the rapidly growing group of residents and older people in the community, in line with the government's vision and new action plan entitled “Good to Get Old“. We have had a good dialogue with the Capital Region Health Service recently, and there is a clear desire from both parties to build a new and impressive health centre in Hafnarfjörður," says Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Mayor of Hafnarfjörður. It is hoped that a decision on the development of a new health centre will be made in the coming months, as it would be an important addition to the health services already available in the municipality.