Health
Health Services
Heilbrigðisþjónusta
- Health clinics are located all over Iceland and in all neighbourhoods of Reykjavik and the surrounding area. Health care clinics offer general medical services and they are the usual places that people go to during times of sickness or health problems.
- People may go to any clinic they choose, but it is advisable to choose the clinic that is closest to your home.
- Besides general health care, clinics offer pre-natal care, pediatrics (health care for children), school health care and home nursing services.
- Those who have health insurance pay only a part of the cost which has to be paid when seeing a doctor but those who do not have a health insurance need to pay in full.
Medical Services after Clinic Hours
- Outside of regular clinic hours, general medical practitioners are on call at all clinics outside of the capital area.
- If medical service is needed outside of clinic opening hours in the capital area, for instance in the evening or at weekends, call Læknavaktin (the On Call Medical Services) at 1770.
People who do not speak Icelandic or who have not become proficient in Icelandic have the legal right to a free interpreter when visiting a medical doctor. If an interpreter is needed it must be noted when appointment is made with a health clinic or a hospital. Individuals that have health insurance get the cost of the interpreter reimbursed while others may have to defray the cost themselves.
Links
- A list of hospitals and health clinics in Iceland
- Detailed information about health and health related issues on Island.is
