Vogur could close if SÁÁ loses funding

Vogur could be forced to close if funding for its healthcare services is cut, Valgerður Rúnarsdóttir, the treatment facility’s medical director, told mbl.is. She said she was deeply concerned about the situation at SÁÁ after its executive board reached a termination agreement with the organisation’s director and appointed new managers.

Valgerður is on leave until December 1, when it will become clear whether she returns to work at Vogur. She said the director had until now been responsible for the healthcare service, while the organisation’s other operations had been handled by its executive board chair, who works full time on comparable pay to those managing the healthcare service.

“I am only hearing now that the reason Ragnheiður left was supposedly that she had not worked according to the organisational structure. The main task of SÁÁ is treatment, and the director bears professional responsibility for it,” Valgerður said.

She said there had been agreement about the organisation’s operations until the board removed the director on August 5.

“There was no disagreement within the healthcare service until this happened, and it was a shock to all the staff,” Valgerður said. Managers warned the board that the decision had put the organisation’s operations at risk, but the warning was not taken seriously, she said.

Staff have expressed no confidence in the executive board, according to Valgerður, but the issue was not even discussed at a board meeting. She said employees were worried, although they also had to consider their livelihoods.

Asked whether the hospital could be staffed, Valgerður said she was very worried about the situation and believed the authorities might eventually intervene.

“It is possible that funding could be cut, and if that happens it will lead to a shutdown,” she said.

Valgerður said she had met the new medical director who is taking over her role and was helping him settle into the position. She also worked three 24 hour shifts during the week because he could not start immediately.

She said the board appeared not to understand that the director was essential to the healthcare service and called removing her over duties the board had previously handled itself a “fatal” decision. Staff were highly concerned, she said.