A new 80-space nursing home was opened at Nesvelli in Reykjanesbær today. The opening of the home is an important milestone in the development of nursing homes throughout the country. The nursing home is connected to Hrafnista Nesvällir, which is a 60-space nursing home with a comprehensive service center for senior citizens.
Along with the opening, the Hlévangi nursing home was closed and thirty residents moved from there into the new home in December along with more new residents. The total number of spaces in nursing homes in Suðurnes is therefore now 140.
Quality equipment and increased safety
The new nursing home has a total area of 5,444 m2 and divided into eight departments with ten private spaces per department During design and implementation, innovation was emphasized, which increases the safety and comfort of the residents and greatly improves the working conditions of the staff. These include new solutions for bathing facilities, air lift systems in all private spaces, a new type of access control, a new arrangement of medication design and a wider medical call system.
María Fjóla Harðardóttir, CEO of Hrafnista, says the new building is an elaborate service space, but at the same time an attempt is made to make all the facilities homely and cozy for the residents: „The first residents recently moved in and have been settling in well, but we expect residents to move into all available spaces before the end of January and look forward to welcoming them.”"
Among those who gave talks at today's opening ceremony was Inga Sæland, Minister of Education and Children's Affairs, who held the position of Minister of Social Affairs and Housing until shortly after, but Ragnar Þór Ingólfsson, Minister of Social Affairs and Housing, did not make it to the opening. Then the presentations of Alma D. Möller, Minister of Health, Kjartan Már Kjartansson, mayor of Reykjanesbær, Aríel Pétursson, chairman of the board of the Seamen's Council and María Fjóla Harðardóttir, CEO of Hrafnista, held.
None Sæland emphasized that the development of nursing homes was one of the government's priorities „The opening of this elegant nursing home with 80 spaces is a clear sign of the government's willingness to ensure safety, respect and good living conditions for the elderly“ I sincerely congratulate Reykjanesbær, the Hrafnist homes, the staff of the nursing home at Nesvelli and its residents on this significant milestone.“
Alma D. Möller the Minister of Health said at the opening that this was an important phase in improving services for older people „The opening of a new nursing home at Nesvellir significantly strengthens our ability to meet the needs of senior citizens in Suðurnes“ The increase and renewal of older nursing facilities is a key factor in ensuring safe and good services, the minister said, but the increase in the number of nursing facilities also eased the operation of hospitals.
Kjartan Már Kjartansson, the mayor of Reykjanesbær, said the opening of the home was a major milestone for the municipality. „This is an extremely important project for Reykjanesbær and the entire Suðurnes, but now a total of 50 new nursing spaces are added to the area. With this project, a big step has been taken in strengthening services for older people and meeting the increased need for quality nursing spaces“.“
Ariel Peterson, Chairman of the Seamen's Day Council. „We are extremely grateful for the trust shown to us by entrusting us with the management of the project“ Seven decades of experience in the operation of nursing homes have been put to good use and allowed to be returned to the framework. It has also proved successful to trust the Seamen's Day Council with such projects, as we have been able to deliver quality work completed within the prescribed time."
Design and implementation
In February 2020, an agreement was signed for the construction of the nursing home between the then Minister of Health and the mayor of Reykjanesbær. Initially, the construction of 60 spaces was agreed upon, but later two supplementary agreements were made for expansion to 80 spaces as well as new criteria for the organization of nursing homes and the extension of the agreement, the agreement assumed that the home would be put into use by the end of 2025, which has now been implemented.
THG architects took care of architectural design and took care of design management, but the responsibility of engineering design was with Ferli engineering firm. ÞG Verk took care of the concrete and finishing of the exterior, while EYKT ehf. about the finishing of the interior. Earthwork was in the hands of Ellert Skúlason ehf. and Borgarvirki took care of the finishing of the plot.
Hrafnista is the largest operator of geriatric services in the country and operates a total of seven nursing homes in five municipalities. The company is a non-profit subsidiary of the Seamen's Day Council, which has operated Hrafnista's residential home for almost seventy years.
Increase in the number of nursing spaces
The government's policy statement emphasizes the issues of older people, including the increase in the number of nursing homes.
They were Sigurður Hreinsson, project manager of the projects, María Fjóla Harðardóttir, CEO of Hrafnista, Inga Sæland, former Minister of Social Affairs and Housing, Alma D. Möller, Minister of Health, Kjartan Már Kjartansson, mayor of Reykjanesbær, Aríel Pétursson, chairman of the Seamen's Council, Þuríður Elísdóttir, director of Hrafnista in Nesvellir, and Sigríður Bjarnadóttir, a resident of the new home in Nesvellir who cut the banner at the opening today.
