Lets speak to the children.

Inclusion of children of critically ill parents and parents that are dying/have died in Iceland.  Implementing a new work process in a hospital setting.

Anna Ros and Gudlaug will talk about the theoretical framework behind this change in the law, the challenges that have risen on the way and the benefits from the new process. The core of their talk will be the renewed focus on families in a hospital setting, the new perspective on early intervention for children of critically ill parents and how this will hopefully benefit the future.

Anna Ros Johannesdottir is a social worker, MA, since 1991 and a family therapist since 1997. She is the former head of the social work department at Landspitali hospital in Reykjavik, Iceland. In her clinical work she has specialized in working with families in psychiatric settings. For the last year she has been the project manager of implementation of new articles in the Icelandic law for health care professionals that highlights mandatory inclusion of children of critically ill parents or parents that are dying/have died. The first phase of this project has focused on forming a clear work process in the psychiatric departments of Landspitali hospital regarding children of parents with mental illness.

Gudlaug M. Juliusdottir is a social worker, MA, since 2000 and a family therapist since 2016. She is the current head of the social work department at Landspitali hospital in Reykjavik, Iceland. In her clinical work she has specialized in working with families of children and adolescents in a psychiatric setting. A part of her job as a head of social work, is to facilitate implementing the new work process in the psychiatric department and ultimately in all departments of the hospital.