Health Minister Sophie Løhde (V) has “naturally an expectation” that regions comply with the agreement on millions for the delivery area. It should “naturally be safe to give birth in Danish hospitals,” she says in a written comment on a letter she and the Danish Regions have received. The senders are the management of the country’s delivery departments. There are prospects of significant savings at several delivery departments, it is reported, despite more funds being allocated to the area in recent years. Following numerous stories in the press about overstretched departments, midwives resigning, and testimonies about difficult birth processes, a political agreement was made in 2022. 475 million kroner were allocated for improvements in the area in the 2022 budget. The funds were to be allocated to the departments between 2022 and 2025. Kasper Aaboe, chief physician and head of the Rigshospitalet departments for gynecology, fertility, and birth, explains to Information that with extra funds come extra responsibilities, leading to budget overruns. Løhde takes the approach “seriously”. She “naturally expects the regions to comply with the political agreement made in the delivery area.” – “We have managed to improve the delivery area, but it is important that we continue to maintain this positive development, and I will convene the parties of the Parliament for negotiations in a few months to discuss how we can strengthen conditions in the area,” Løhde said.

Read the danish version here