Gylfi Ólafsson, who has been the director of the Vestfjörður Health Foundation since July 2018, and thus completed his five-year appointment this summer, has sent a letter to the Minister of Health with a request to be relieved of his duties. Hildur Elísabet Pétursdóttir will be CEO from October 16 until a new CEO takes over.
"The time at the institute has been extremely fun and educational. I have been well received by everyone inside and outside the organization, including at the beginning when I started working rather young and with little experience in the health system and management.
A lot has been achieved in the last five years. The results of a survey about the institution of the year have been the highest for us for two years in a row, when compared with sister institutions, but the institution was the lowest in this comparison in 2018. We have made considerable changes to unite the institution into a single entity, making communication within the institution more efficient , put into use numerous computer systems, set up a psychiatric team, bought three large imaging devices and renovated surgery and accident rooms, trained field staff, took a firmer grip on document handling, reissued annual reports and held annual meetings, implemented equal pay certification and personal protection, implemented a new look and made other internal changes that are too long to trace. Then the response to the covid epidemic marks a deep mark in the history of the last five years.
Of course, not everything has gone as planned. The institution has been running at a significant deficit, housing could be better, and staffing is a constant challenge, especially on the medical staff.
The main point, however, is this: The real goal of the organization's operation is to provide diverse and quality health care, and it has succeeded. Health care has provided more and faster services. The maternity and surgical services are intact even though the boat has been hit and the conditions are often difficult. The staff is great.
At the same time, the opportunities facing the Westfjords are enormous. My mind is now looking for other projects here at home. The organization deserves nothing less than the full attention of its CEO. I will say goodbye to the institution and all the staff with longing and gratitude."
It is planned that Hildur Elísabet Pétursdóttir, director of nursing, will be appointed director from October 16, and Rannveig Björnsdóttir, head of the hospital department, will be director of nursing until a new director has been appointed. The Ministry of Health will advertise the position in the coming weeks.