A new local hospital, Middelfart Local Hospital, is set to open in Region Syddanmark (Region of Southern Denmark) to provide more localized healthcare services for citizens. The inauguration, scheduled for Monday, aligns with the national health reform aimed at bringing healthcare closer to the people.

The health reform allocates 3.5 billion kroner from 2027 to 2031 for local health initiatives across the country. This initiative seeks to reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for treatment.

Regional Council Chairman Bo Libergren (V) stated, “A core idea in the health reform is to bring the healthcare system closer to the citizen, and we are starting that now.” The goal is to consolidate municipal and outpatient hospital treatments under one roof, reducing the need for patients to visit multiple locations.

Region Syddanmark is maintaining its local hospital despite a nationwide shift from local hospitals to health centers. The local hospital will offer treatments previously available only at larger regional hospitals.

Kidney patients requiring dialysis will benefit from the local hospital, eliminating the need to travel to Vejle or Kolding. The hospital will also cater to patients with lung diseases, chronic pain, and diabetes.

Ann Leistiko, director of The Lung Association, emphasized the importance of short travel times for lung patients. She highlighted the challenges faced by lung patients who have to travel long distances to lung clinics, including reliance on flexible transport, long waiting times, and physical exertion.