Danish government proposes new home care initiative to enhance local healthcare services

The government aims to bring healthcare as close to citizens as possible, with a new initiative emphasizing home treatment as a key component. The proposal suggests establishing “home care teams” that can operate around the clock to monitor and assist patients with their treatment at home, particularly for those with chronic conditions.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described this initiative as an expansion of local healthcare services, advocating for the transfer of many healthcare tasks from hospitals to local settings or the patients’ own homes, and in some cases, utilizing digital solutions. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen emphasized the need for a healthcare system where individuals can be assured of receiving necessary care and treatment, whether at a hospital, a local health center, or at home.

Morten Freil, director of the umbrella organization for patient associations in Denmark, expressed approval for integrating home treatment into the healthcare system. He noted that many frail individuals face challenges in traveling to hospitals and would greatly benefit from receiving care at home.

While there have been numerous attempts to implement home treatment, a full rollout has yet to occur due to disagreements between municipalities and regions regarding patient responsibility and funding. The new proposal aims to assign full accountability to the regions, which Freil argues is essential for effective implementation.

Bjarne Hastrup, director of the advocacy group for the elderly, remarked on the benefits of home treatment, especially for older adults, as it enhances flexibility and reduces the impact of illness. The Danish Medical Association’s chair, Camilla Ratchke, expressed optimism but highlighted the need for further discussion on the practicalities, such as patient eligibility, care frequency, and staff requirements.