National Hospital Makes Speaking Icelandic Mandatory, Hires Language Tutor

The National Hospital of Iceland (Landspítalinn) has confirmed a language policy making speaking Icelandic mandatory among staff. According to the new policy, every hospital employee should be able to speak Icelandic. To begin with, the demands apply to registered and licensed practical nurses, and specialty doctors.

The programme has been under preparation for some time, with the goal of hospital employees being able to communicate with patients in basic Icelandic. When fully rolled out, the policy will apply to every single member of staff. According to executive chief nursing office Ólafur G. Skúlason, the policy was formulated in collaboration with the hospital’s foreign-speaking employees.

In conversation with RÚV, he explained that employees will be able to study during their work hours. The hospital has negotiated with the Bifröst University and hired an Icelandic tutor.

According to Ólafur, new hires are subject to the language requirement. With improved Icelandic skills, employees are able to increase their pay.