Waiting times for various medical treatments in the Capital Region of Denmark have significantly decreased, bringing relief to patients who have long endured discomfort and pain. The improved situation is highlighted in a recent report from the region’s largest healthcare system, which indicates a considerable reduction in waiting times across several areas and sustained low levels over an extended period.
The average waiting time for surgical treatment has fallen from 80-87 days in 2022 to 43-54 days in the first four months of this year. Specifically, the average wait for a knee replacement has dropped from 130-140 days in 2022 to 50-60 days this year, while hip replacement waiting times have decreased from 100-116 days to 40-50 days. Similarly, the average waiting period for gallstone surgery has been reduced from 75-110 days to 40-50 days.
Patient organizations have welcomed this positive development, noting the increased activity and faster examination and treatment of patients. The chairman of the Danish Lung Association emphasized the great benefit of patients no longer having to endure discomfort and pain for extended periods.
The positive changes are attributed to several factors, including increased staffing levels and targeted financial investments. The number of nurses in hospitals has grown by almost 400 compared to 2022, reaching 12,890, and the region has allocated approximately DKK 150 million to combat waiting lists. Additionally, efforts to retain employees have been successful, with a 15 percentage point decrease in the proportion of employees leaving within their first year.
Looking ahead, the region plans to further reduce waiting times by establishing a specialized center for elective orthopedic surgery at Gentofte Hospital. This “surgery factory” aims to perform 1,500 operations per year initially, with the goal of increasing this to 3,000.
While acknowledging the positive progress, the Danish Rheumatism Association stressed the importance of ensuring that these improvements are not temporary. They emphasized the need for ongoing focus on strengthening capacity in the overall healthcare system to maintain these gains in the long term.
The long waiting times originally arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, when healthcare resources were primarily focused on combating the virus. Subsequent issues, such as a nurses’ strike and difficulties in recruiting staff, further exacerbated the problem. However, with recent efforts, including pay raises for healthcare employees, the situation has begun to improve, leading to the current reduction in waiting times and improved patient care.