The safety of staff and patients at the Landspítali Emergency Room in Fossvogur is compromised daily. It is not possible to ensure adequate infection control, fire safety, or the protection of privacy. Staff and patients are therefore placed in conditions where the risk of infection, accidents, violence, and other serious incidents is obvious and persistent. This situation has been clear for years, but has been ignored by the health authorities. Immediate action must be taken; otherwise, the consequences will be on an unprecedented and catastrophic scale.
These were among the points raised at a joint meeting of the trade unions representing staff at the Emergency Room, held on Wednesday, 11 February. The meeting was organised by Efling Union, the Icelandic Nurses’ Association, the Icelandic Medical Association, the Icelandic Union of Healthcare Assistants, and Sameyki. Attendance was exceptionally high, with around 180 people present, and the mood was sombre.
At the meeting, Emergency Room staff described conditions in such a way that no one listening could be in any doubt that a state of emergency exists. The Emergency Room’s capacity to respond has been paralysed by the large number of admitted patients who should have been transferred to appropriate inpatient wards within the hospital. Staff spoke of exhaustion, anxiety, grief, and anger over the situation, but also of pride, solidarity, and a determination to be allowed to do their jobs under humane and dignified conditions. The demand is that the relevant authorities respond immediately to the information already presented about the situation and implement urgent improvements, in the interests of staff, patients, families, and society as a whole.
The meeting unanimously adopted, with loud applause, a resolution describing the situation and setting out clear demands for action. The resolution can be read below.
RESOLUTION OF A MEETING OF STAFF AT THE LANDSPÍTALI EMERGENCY ROOM
11 February 2026
Conditions at the Landspítali Emergency Room in Fossvogur are so serious that, daily, they place the safety of patients and staff in immediate and indefensible danger. This has long been public knowledge and acknowledged by hospital management, the Directorate of Health, and the health authorities, without adequate action being taken.
The daily number of admitted patients far exceeds what the premises, staffing levels, and safety systems can sustain. As a result, it is not possible to ensure the safety of patients or staff, adequate infection control, fire safety, or the protection of privacy. The hospital has been operating at the highest alert level for more than a year without any effective response from the health authorities. This inaction reflects the lack of remedies and the loose governance highlighted by the National Audit Office.
In a memorandum dated 2 June 2022, the Director of Health confirmed that the Emergency Room did not meet professional standards due to overcrowding, excessive patient numbers, and understaffing, and that neither patient safety nor quality of care could be ensured. At that time, the Director of Health stated that, in reality, the most appropriate course would be to close the unit due to the danger and unacceptable conditions, while also acknowledging that this was not a realistic option as the unit is unique in the country and provides life-saving services.
These grave statements by the Director of Health were ignored. Since then, the situation has not improved but deteriorated.
On average, more than 100 patients are accommodated in a space designed for 36. Isolation is impossible; the safety of agitated or unstable patients cannot be ensured, and oxygen cylinders and other equipment are stored like raw materials in the corridors of the Emergency Room, creating an obvious fire and explosion hazard. This constitutes a serious safety threat to staff and patients, and with such patient numbers, the working conditions for staff are completely unacceptable.
For an extended period, the Emergency Room has been caring for admitted patients who should already have been transferred to appropriate inpatient wards. It is not the role of the Emergency Room to operate a parallel inpatient ward on top of emergency services. This undermines the Emergency Room’s capacity to respond and prevents staff from having the space and calm required to carry out their statutory duties in the reception and treatment of injured and acutely ill patients.
Staff are forced to work in conditions that run counter to their professional expertise and to recognised standards of good and safe healthcare. Such a situation is indefensible and has lasting and negative effects on staff and on the quality of care.
Staff and patients are placed in circumstances where the risk of infection, accidents, violence, and serious consequences is obvious and ongoing.
In December, eight staff members were diagnosed with latent tuberculosis. This underlines the consequences of infection control and facilities that do not comply with laws and regulations. Inaction in the development of and investment in healthcare infrastructure has created a systemic problem that is now manifesting itself clearly and dangerously in the Emergency Room.
We demand that the workplace comply with laws on health, safety, and working conditions, and that immediate action be taken, as a persistent and worsening state of emergency exists and must be addressed without delay.
We also demand that those bodies with statutory responsibility respond immediately and follow up on comments, inspections, and committee findings that have already been made:
- That the Directorate of Health should firmly follow up on remedial actions based on its existing assessment of conditions in the Emergency Room.
- That the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health should carry out a comprehensive inspection of staff working conditions and respond to breaches of occupational safety legislation.
- That the Environmental Health Authority inspects conditions concerning hygiene and infection control.
- That the Fire Safety Authority follows up on its assessment of fire risk arising from oxygen equipment and overcrowding.
- That the Data Protection Authority examines conditions with regard to patient privacy and protection.
- That the health authorities should conduct an assessment of patient harm and mortality in relation to length of stay in the Emergency Room.
The safety of patients and staff must no longer be treated as an acceptable sacrifice. It is wholly unacceptable that these conditions have been allowed to persist for years despite repeated warnings. Instead of promises, we demand concrete improvements. Those responsible for governance and oversight of the healthcare system must assume responsibility and exercise their authority immediately.
Resolution sent to:
The Directorate of Health
The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health
The Environmental Health Authority of Reykjavik
The Capital Area Fire and Rescue Service
The Data Protection Authority
The Chief Executive of Landspítali
The Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Finance
The Prime Minister’s Office
The Parliamentary Welfare Committee
The Parliamentary Budget Committee
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