Denmark is currently embarking on a new health reform, and in the summer, the first bill was sent out for public consultation. The bill was generally well-received, but the Danish Medical Association (PLO) urged the Danish government to clarify and amend specific points in the bill. The Danish government and the PLO have agreed on a framework for a legislative package aimed at strengthening primary care and developing general practice.
For example, in the draft bill, general practitioners (GPs) with fewer sick patients will take on more patients, while those with the most complex caseloads will see fewer patients. The PLO was concerned about potential income effects for busy GPs, specifically whether they would earn the same amount while seeing more patients. To address this, an additional DKK 482 million (€64.5 million) will be allocated from 2027 to 2032 to compensate GPs, particularly in larger cities, who take on more patients.
A new professional council will also be established, with four of its eight members being GPs and the rest representing the regions, the Ministry, and the Danish Health Authority. The council will provide input on GP tasks, but final decisions on task descriptions will remain with the Danish Health Authority.