Denmark is going from five to four regions, which in addition to the country’s 98 municipalities will in future be supplemented by no less than 17 health councils.
All to ensure a healthcare system that is closer to the citizens, and which must help combat the serious shortage of doctors that is spreading in North Jutland, among other places.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) will attend a citizens’ meeting in Tårs, where the theme will be the government’s plans for Denmark and North Jutland’s future healthcare system.
As a prelude, Nordjyske has therefore asked the prime minister three sharp questions about the government’s new healthcare plan.
Mette Frederiksen is coming to Vendsyssel
North Jutland lacks doctors, and many patients today have to travel far from home to receive treatment. A new major health reform must do away with that.
Would you like the opportunity to ask Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen about Denmark’s future healthcare system and the thoughts behind it? Then come to the citizens’ meeting on 31 October at 17 in Tårs Assembly Hall.
Here, the prime minister will answer questions from the audience about how the government thinks our healthcare system should look in the future, and how the government will combat the shortage of doctors in North Jutland.
There are limited places on a first-come, first-served basis, so you can register as follows.
How to register:
Send an email to [email protected]
In the email, you must state the full name and date of birth (dd-mm-yy) of all those you wish to register for the event.
Before the citizens’ meeting, you will receive a receipt, which you must show at the door together with a valid photo ID.
You do not need to print the receipt – showing it on your mobile phone is sufficient.
We look forward to seeing you.
You can read about our processing of your personal data in our privacy policy here:
You believe that higher wages should attract doctors to Vendsyssel rather than the big cities. Is salary enough in itself to solve the doctor shortage?
– No, it is not, but it is one of the pieces. If you have to put it a bit roughly, there are actually the most doctors where there are the fewest sick people, and there are the fewest doctors where the most sick people are. It’s crooked.
– I know from many Danes that it causes insecurity if you don’t have a doctor. That’s what we want to solve. There, of course, we point to salary as part of it, but it will not stand alone.
– We are also going to close more doctors in the areas that currently have good medical coverage.
– And then we will look at new forms of employment, new clinic forms, retention of doctors who are on their way to retirement, more training places in Aalborg and more specialists in general medicine. So no, it’s not going to stand alone, we’re going to do several different things. We will have to get more doctors to the parts of Denmark where there are not enough doctors.
If it is up to the government, doctors’ remuneration will in future reflect where they have a clinic. Stock photo: Bo Lehm
Long known problem
This development with a shortage of doctors has been known for a long time. It’s kind of like a traffic accident in slow motion. We know that it takes around 10-12 years to train a general practitioner. Why is it only now that you are taking a bigger stand against this shortage of doctors?
– That’s a good question. I must say that successive governments have taken different initiatives. I think, among other things, that the medical education in Aalborg is a very good example that things have not stood still. But there has been a lack of the political will to go in and look at this with remuneration and outside numbers.
– In all modesty, I am very happy that it is my government that is actually doing it. But there has been a lack of political courage to address some of the more structural issues in the medical field. But we do now.
As part of the health plan, the government will increase the number of medical study places at Aalborg University, so that eventually 250 doctors are trained per year in Aalborg. Stock photo: Bo Lehm
Denmark is a small country – yet we have to have four regions to manage the hospitals, 98 municipalities and we will now also have 17 new health councils to manage the local healthcare system. Why is it necessary to have so many decentralized units in a country that is not big?
– Even though Denmark is a small country, our living conditions and our everyday lives are actually quite different from each other. It is probably not so stupid that we have a prime minister who is originally from North Jutland and now lives in Copenhagen, because I can see the differences between good and bad and in many different areas.
– Geography plays a role, public transport looks different and our culture is different around the country. I believe that the local anchoring in our democracy has an impact on whether we find the answers that suit all parts of Denmark. I’m not a big centralization person myself, I like that it’s locally rooted.
In future, North Jutland will have two health councils, consisting of both regional and municipal politicians. They must ensure that the healthcare system gets closer to the citizens. Archive photo: North Jutland Media House
Civic meeting on the way
Would you like the opportunity to ask Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen about Denmark’s future healthcare system and the thoughts behind it? Then come to the citizens’ meeting on 31 October at 17 in Tårs Assembly Hall.
Here, the prime minister will answer questions from the audience about how the government thinks our healthcare system should look in the future, and how the government will combat the shortage of doctors in North Jutland.
There are limited places on a first-come, first-served basis, so you can register as follows.
How to register:
Send an email to [email protected]
In the email, you must state the full name and date of birth (dd-mm-yy) of all those you wish to register for the event.
Before the citizens’ meeting, you will receive a receipt, which you must show at the door together with a valid photo ID.
You do not need to print the receipt, showing it on your mobile phone is sufficient.
We look forward to seeing you.
You can read about our processing of your personal data in our privacy policy here.
2024-10-28 16:50:00
#regions #municipalities #health #councils #ensure #peoples #health #prime #minister #explains
**Interview with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Denmark’s Healthcare Reform**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Prime Minister Frederiksen. Denmark’s healthcare system is undergoing significant changes with the reduction of regions and the introduction of health councils. Can you explain the motivation behind these reforms?
**Mette Frederiksen:** Thank you for having me. The primary motivation for these changes is to create a healthcare system that’s closer to the citizens. As you mentioned, we’re moving from five to four regions while adding 17 health councils. This structure aims to ensure more localized healthcare services, particularly in addressing the serious shortage of doctors, especially in areas like North Jutland.
**Editor:** Speaking of the doctor shortage, many patients are currently facing long travel times to receive treatment. How does the government plan to attract more doctors to rural areas?
**Mette Frederiksen:** Attracting doctors to underserved areas is a multifaceted challenge. While higher salaries may help, it’s not the only solution. We are looking into various strategies, including training more medical professionals locally, creating new clinic formats, and ensuring better retention of existing doctors. We’re also willing to consolidate clinics in well-served areas, enabling us to allocate resources where they are most needed.
**Editor:** Some critics argue that this doctor shortage has been a known issue for years. Why has the government only now addressed this systemic problem?
**Mette Frederiksen:** That’s a fair question. While there have been efforts in the past, like expanding medical education in Aalborg, there has been a lack of political will to tackle remuneration and structural issues comprehensively. I believe my government is finally showing the necessary courage to confront these challenges head-on and devise sustainable solutions.
**Editor:** With Denmark’s small size, do you believe it’s necessary to have such a decentralized healthcare system? Wouldn’t it be more efficient to centralize management?
**Mette Frederiksen:** Even in a small country like Denmark, our living conditions and healthcare needs vary significantly from region to region. Localized management allows us to tailor solutions to specific community needs. I believe that having a government rooted in local realities will lead to better responses and decisions that benefit all parts of Denmark.
**Editor:** Thank you, Prime Minister Frederiksen, for your insights on this pressing issue. We look forward to seeing how these changes unfold in the coming years.
**Mette Frederiksen:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss our plans. I am optimistic that these reforms will lead to a healthier future for all Danes.
Nown problem for years and that the government has been slow to act. Why has it taken so long to address these issues more comprehensively?
**Mette Frederiksen:** It’s true that the doctor shortage has been a persistent issue, akin to a “traffic accident in slow motion.” Successive governments have initiated various measures, such as increasing medical education opportunities, like the program in Aalborg. However, there has been a lack of political will to confront the structural challenges in our healthcare system directly. My government recognizes the urgency of this situation, and we are committed to taking meaningful action now.
**Editor:** You mentioned geographical differences in healthcare access. How does the government’s plan take into account the unique needs of diverse areas in Denmark?
**Mette Frederiksen:** Despite being a small country, Denmark is incredibly diverse in terms of living conditions, culture, and healthcare needs. The newly proposed health councils will reflect this diversity by ensuring that local leaders—both regional and municipal—play a role in healthcare governance. We believe that localized decision-making will provide tailored solutions that cater to the specific needs of different communities, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Prime Minister. Lastly, can you tell us about the upcoming citizens’ meeting and how you plan to engage with the public on these issues?
**Mette Frederiksen:** Yes, I invite all citizens to join me at the meeting on October 31st in Tårs Assembly Hall. I’ll be answering questions about the future of Denmark’s healthcare system and discussing our strategies to overcome the doctor shortage. It’s essential for us to hear from the public and ensure that their concerns and suggestions are included in our reform plans. I look forward to a fruitful dialogue with our citizens.
