The number of practicing doctors is essentially the same today as it was 14 years ago. This is despite the fact that there are more elderly people and more chronically ill. (Archive photo). Photo: Ida Guldbæk Arentsen/Ritzau Scanpix
Municipalities Seek More General Practitioners
The Danish healthcare system faces an imbalance, with increasing numbers of older and chronically ill people, but a stagnant number of general practitioners (GPs) to care for them. Since 2009, only 42 additional GPs have joined the system. In response, Sisse Marie Welling, chair of the Health and Elderly Committee of the Local Government Association (KL), calls for strengthening the healthcare sector closer to citizens. As of 2023, there are 3,499 GPs compared to 3457 in 2009 highlighting the need for more to meet the 2035 target of 5,000. Professionals like Helga Schultz of The Young Doctors highlight the lack of young doctors entering general practice, partly due to a focus on hospital resources and neglect of services outside hospitals.