Controversy brews over proposed relocation of healthcare center in Laugarás to Flúðir

There is currently a heated debate about the relocation of the healthcare center from Laugarás to Flúðir. Residents of Laugarás are extremely dissatisfied, and the local council leader criticizes the handling of the process.

The move of the healthcare center is planned for next spring. The available premises in Flúðir are more cost-effective and better suited to modern demands of health services, according to representatives of the Healthcare Institution of the South Region. However, the local council of Bláskógabyggð, to which Laugarás belongs, has heavily criticized this process, arguing there is no justification for Flúðir being the best location for the healthcare center.

“We think there should have been an assessment of where this service is best located in this area – these four municipalities it serves. And then work from that,” says Ásta Stefánsdóttir, local council leader of Bláskógabyggð.

Ásta believes there has been a significant lack of consultation in the process and feels the voice of the municipality does not matter. “The municipality has no opportunity to appeal this or anything of the sort. But we have indeed asked for an examination of this process so people know whether it was handled properly,” she says.

It has been claimed that maintenance needs for the premises in Laugarás amount to about 150 million kronas. However, the local council does not believe this amount is justified, as the premises are in good condition.

“We called for an inspection when we heard this figure, that 150 million were needed to fix the house. After several months it turned out that no inspection had been done,” says Ásta. She says this figure is based on a report made for the healthcare center in Þorlákshöfn, where the situation was considered similar.

Just like the local council representatives, residents of Bláskógabyggð are not satisfied with these plans. “I think this is ridiculous. It’s just poorly done and ridiculous in every way,” says Kristinn Bjarnason, a shop owner in Reykholt. Jóhanna B. Kristjáns, a resident, agrees. She is very much against this move. “Because I think this is not for the benefit of a large part of those who live in the countryside.” She herself lives in Laugarás and plans to seek healthcare in Selfoss rather than Flúðir.

Áslaug Sveinbjarnardóttir, also a resident in the area, says the distance doesn’t matter to her. “I just find the act very strange. And without any consultation with the residents,” she says.