The maternity wards in Denmark have experienced a significant increase in the number of employees in recent years, with 221 more full-time positions since 2021. This information is based on a memo from the Danish Regions, which Berlingske has had access to. According to the memo, the total number of employees in maternity wards is now estimated at 3421 full-time positions.
This development is the result of targeted investments, including 475 million Danish kroner allocated in the 2022 national budget, which are to be allocated to maternity wards until 2025. The investments were decided in response to media reports about overloaded departments, where midwives, among other things, reported a lack of time for breaks and challenges in attracting sufficient staff.
The aim of the political initiatives was to attract “more than 100 additional employees” by 2025, and this goal now seems to have been achieved. Chairwoman of the association Parents and Birth, Mie Ryborg-Larsen, expressed satisfaction that staffing levels in maternity wards are now at an “acceptable level.” She points out that this should make it possible for those giving birth to have a midwife present throughout the active labor, which should be considered a basic expectation.
Furthermore, a three-party agreement was reached last year, which includes a salary increase of three billion Danish kroner for selected public groups, including midwives. The agreement also aims to encourage more people to work full-time and take shifts at odd hours, such as evenings and weekends, which will further strengthen the staffing levels in maternity wards.