Health care guideline

Maternity care services are free, and expectant mothers can either visit the healthcare center in their neighborhood or choose another location and register there.

Interviews and examinations are available from the beginning of pregnancy until childbirth. The first interview with a midwife is usually conducted over the phone shortly after the pregnancy is confirmed. It is recommended that the first meeting takes place within 12 weeks of pregnancy. The number of maternity examinations varies depending on circumstances, usually between 8-10 times. Between examinations, it is possible to receive phone consultations with a midwife.

Child and infant care takes over from maternity care when the family returns home from the birthing center, and the home care provided by midwives concludes.

In the first weeks after childbirth, nurses from the healthcare center make home visits to the family. Therefore, parents are requested to contact the nurse promptly after returning home. The first medical examination at the healthcare center is usually around 6 weeks of age.

Subsequently, regular check-ups are conducted by nurses and doctors until school age. During these check-ups, growth, development, vaccinations, and other aspects are monitored. Further information on child vaccinations can be found here. In the check-ups, recommendations are given on breastfeeding, sleep issues, discipline and parenting, nutrition, and accident prevention. Additionally, parents can always contact the nurse with any questions or concerns regarding their child.

Further information about infant and toddler care here.

Nurses and doctors at the healthcare centers oversee the health care of school children in the vicinity of the centers.

The main focuses in the health care of school children include:

• Education and health promotion
• Vaccinations
• Screenings
• Health and well-being interviews
• Supervision and monitoring of care for chronically ill children within the school
• Guidance for students, their families, and school staff

You can contact school nurses by calling the school.

Further information about health care of elementary school children here.

For Travelers

On the chat platform here on the website, you can receive recommendations about the vaccinations needed for your travels. Choose your destination and vaccination advice within the health chat of the health service. Standardized questions about your journey will then be presented. Once all information is provided, a vaccination plan will be generated on my Health Service page within three to five working days. Individuals will be notified when the plan is ready. The vaccination plan takes into consideration previous vaccinations and the duration of the stay.

Further information about vaccinations for travelers here. 

General Vaccinations

In general, healthy adults under sixty may not need to keep up with vaccinations, except when preparing for travel to countries where vaccinations are required.

Routine childhood vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, and measles should be repeated every 10 years.
Individuals aged 60 and older or those with chronic illnesses should consider getting vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia caused by the Pneumococcus bacterium.

If vaccinations were administered outside of Iceland, it is possible to bring vaccination certificates to the healthcare center and have the injections recorded in the health service. Guidance and advice regarding vaccinations are available at healthcare centers and on the chat platform here on this website.

It should be noted that a referral from a doctor is required for tests such as blood tests, X-rays, etc.

Blood Tests

If you wish to undergo a blood test, you must schedule an appointment with your family doctor and request the test. Once the request is submitted, contact the healthcare center to schedule an appointment for the blood test or visit Landspítali hospital on weekdays at the blood sample reception between 08:00 am and 3:45 pm.

With organized screening or examinations, it is possible to detect cancer in the cervix, breasts, colon, and rectum at an early stage before symptoms become apparent. If cancer is found in the early stages, the prognosis is often better.
In Iceland, screening is conducted for cervical cancer and breast cancer in women.

On the Health Service website, you can see how the screening process is organized across the country. You need to choose a healthcare center on the map and click on cancer screening under services. We encourage women to familiarize themselves with the service and respond positively to screening invitations.

Organized screening for colorectal and rectal cancer has not yet been implemented here, as in some other countries. Such screening usually involves searching for hidden blood in stool samples and colonoscopy if the sample is positive. You can request an examination from your family doctor or directly book a colonoscopy with a specialist.

If you have had sexual contact with someone you do not know well or do not trust, you can visit a doctor to check if you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection. Most of those who become infected show no symptoms, but symptoms can also appear briefly and then disappear. However, the infection persists.

Many may have a feeling that something might be wrong without being able to pinpoint specific symptoms. If this is the case, it is advisable to contact the nearest healthcare center and consult with a doctor or nurse to receive guidance on the next steps. Typically, the process begins with obtaining a urine sample, blood test, and a physical examination.
If you experience symptoms that may indicate a sexually transmitted infection, you should seek medical attention immediately.

You can also call 543-6050 to make an appointment for a check at the Outpatient Department of Dermatology and Venereology at Landspítali University Hospital. 

You can apply for a sickness certificate on my pages „mínar síður“ at helisuvera.is

Select message, new message, certificate – employer and school certificate and continue. 

You pay for the certificate and then it appears on your sites after few days.