The Danish health care system
Regions and municipalities
Public hospitals in Denmark are part of the municipal administrative structure, which consists of five regions and 98 municipalities.
It is the principal task of the regions to operate the health care system, that is the hospitals, psychiatric units and health care insurance system.
The regions do not collect taxes. The state pays 80 percent of expenses for the region's health care system, whilst the municipalities pay the remaining 20 percent.
It is the responsibility of the municipalities to encourage health promotion measures and to take care of its citizens. Furthermore the municipalities are responsible for providing rehabilitation following hospitalisation.
Cooperation between region and municipality
Municipalities and regions have a duty to cooperate in the provision of health care. For example, the municipalities and regions work together to coordinate care of older patients at the hospital as well as follow-up care in the municipality.
In Region Syddanmark, which looks after 1.2 million citizens, the region and the 22 municipalities in Funen and Southern Jutland have entered into a general health care agreement which formulates the framework for good patient-related practice across authority boundaries.
The National Board of Health and the Ministry of the Interior and Health
Alongside the municipalities, the state in the form of the National Board of Health and the Ministry of the Interior and Health plays an important part in the design of the Danish health care system.
The National Board of Health is an independent authority which monitors health and gives advice to the state, the regions and the municipalities.
Both the Board and the Ministry keep a keen eye on local planning - one recent example is the allocation of emergency services and highly specialised treatment centres.
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Health insurance Every resident in Denmark has free access to the ealth care system with free examinations and treatment. Residents receive a health insurance card from their municipality, which also arranges for the patients choice of doctor. |
Patient advisors Patients and relatives who need help and guidance with regard to the health care system can contact a patient advisor. These advisors provide general information on the health care service or, for instance, ways to go about making a complaint. |
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Patient insurance If one wishes to claim compensation in connection with damages related to hospital treatment, this should be done via patient insurance which rules on matters related to damage at the public hospital, private hospital or practising physicians, specialists, etc. Patient insurance is also at hand for cases arising where there are claims for damages in connection with use of medication. |
Free choice of hospital In Denmark one is allowed to go to the hospital of one's choice. A patient who is referred for tests and treatment at hospital may choose between public hospitals and certain private specialist hospitals and clinics which will then carry out the tests and treatment. If the hospital is not able to offer the treatment within one month, the patient is offered referral to a private or foreign hospital or clinic which will have entered an agreement with the regions. |
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Medical records As a patient of the Danish health care system, one is entitled to see one's own medical records and to receive a copy of them. |
The Patients Board of Appeal The Patients Board of Appeal handles complaints relating to the Danish health care system. One can for example make a complaint relating to tests, treatment, care, lack of information about treatment, lack of medical confidentiality, etc. |