Health Minister announces plans to strengthen School of Health in Suðuroyn

There are no plans to relocate the School of Health from Suðuroyn. Instead, the intention is to strengthen the school and expand its existing programs. One proposal suggests that students could alternate between one week of classes and one week of practical training in northern locations.

This was stated by Djóni Nolsøe Joensen, the Minister of Health, in response to a written inquiry from Member of Parliament Súsanna Bertholdsen. Among her questions was whether municipalities can train health assistants and caregivers independently of the Ministry of Education and Research.

Joensen responded that it would be beneficial for both municipalities and the government to collaborate on this issue. However, he noted that it is not possible to prevent municipalities from choosing their own solutions.

“It is common to train staff, but the most sensible approach is for the government and municipalities to tackle this challenge together and find common solutions,” Joensen said. He also mentioned that efforts are underway to ensure that individuals in healthcare training receive compensation during their education, but this requires joint effort from the government and municipalities.

One option being considered is restructuring education programs as vocational training, where both salary and practical experience are fundamental components. This would allow those with certain experiences to earn a salary while completing the necessary training for full professional qualification.

Additionally, there are discussions about the possibility of securing more student accommodations near the School of Health, which could facilitate students’ further education at the University of the Faroe Islands.