The Danish government proposed a healthcare reform titled ‘Health close to you’, presented by the Minister of the Interior and Health Sophie Løhde in September 2024. It aims to change both the structure, the division of tasks and the economy to strengthen primary health care that can better manage chronic diseases among the aging population.
Copenhagen, Denmark – The Ministry of the Interior and Health, led by Minister Sophie Løhde, has announced an ambitious healthcare reform aimed at addressing critical challenges within Denmark’s healthcare system. The reform, titled “Health Close to You,” seeks to strengthen local healthcare services, improve the distribution of healthcare resources, and bring care closer to citizens across the country.
Minister Løhde emphasized the pressing need for action:
“Today, we face significant strain on our healthcare system. More and more people need treatment across hospitals, general practices, and municipal healthcare services, but they often experience a lack of coherence in their care. We must ensure that everyone in Denmark—regardless of where they live—has access to the necessary help and treatment.”
The reform addresses the growing imbalance between Denmark’s hospital system and local healthcare services, which disproportionately affects areas with the greatest need. Regions facing doctor shortages, for instance, report longer waiting times and fewer treatment options. As Denmark’s population ages and the prevalence of chronic diseases rises, these challenges are expected to intensify.
The government’s proposal outlines a comprehensive overhaul of the healthcare system, including structural changes, new task allocations, and financial realignments to strengthen and future-proof healthcare services.
While Denmark boasts a world-class hospital system capable of delivering specialized, high-quality treatment for diseases like cancer and heart conditions, local healthcare services lag significantly behind. This disparity impacts many Danes, particularly those managing chronic illnesses. The proposed reform aims to close this gap, ensuring equitable and efficient care delivery across hospitals, local health centers, and even in patients’ homes.
Key initiatives in the reform include:
- Training 5,000 New General Practitioners: Expanded medical school facilities in Aalborg, Esbjerg, and Køge will accommodate the training of more general practitioners and specialists.
- Improving Specialist Distribution: Measures will address the uneven distribution of specialists in underserved regions.
- New Patient Rights: Patients will gain faster access to specialists and digital health services, alongside expanded freedom of choice in their care.
- Integrated Care for Chronic Diseases: Packages for managing conditions such as COPD, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease will be introduced, along with home treatment teams to support elderly patients and those with multiple chronic conditions.
To ensure a more equitable distribution of resources, the government proposes merging Region Zealand and the Capital Region into a new Region Eastern Denmark. Additionally, 17 new health councils will be established, bringing together representatives from regions and municipalities to collaboratively manage local healthcare development. These councils will take on joint responsibility for funding and organizing health services in their respective areas.
The reform also involves transferring certain healthcare responsibilities from municipalities to regions and health councils. This includes the management of temporary care facilities and emergency nursing care for unstable patients, ensuring round-the-clock service availability.
The government has committed to significant financial investments to support this reform. A DKK 24 billion health fund will modernize hospitals and healthcare technology, while DKK 3.5 billion will be allocated to improving the infrastructure for local health initiatives. By 2030, an annual investment of DKK 6.4 billion will support these reforms.
Minister Løhde concluded:
“Our goal is to create a healthcare system where every Dane—regardless of their location—has access to high-quality care. This reform will bring healthcare closer to citizens and build a stronger, more equitable system for the future.”
The government plans to present the reform to Parliament for negotiation, with details available in the proposal documents:
Health close to you – Part I
Health close to you – Part II (further description of the reform proposal)
