Today’s news / Foreign doctors to get shortcut to Danish jobs
It is taking too long for foreign doctors from countries outside the EU to help on the Danish labour market, according to Interior and Health Minister Sophie Løhde. She will be approaching parliamentary parties with a shortcut proposal. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/archive/Ritzau Scanpix

Foreign doctors to get shortcut to Danish jobs

Foreign doctors from countries outside the EU are waiting far too long to get their authorisation to work in the Danish healthcare system. On Friday, attempts solve the problem will begin when negotiations between the government and Parliamentary parties begin for a strengthened recruitment of foreign health workers. Interior and Health Minister Sophie Løhde is to present the government’s proposal for a smoother process so that foreign health workers can get out to work faster. A shortcut authorisation process is to be introduced for healthcare workers who are in demand. Specifically, this will mean that point five out of six in the normal application process, evaluation employment at two hospitals for one year, will be brought forward so that it can be done in parallel with other conditions for obtaining Danish authorisation.
     “We urgently need qualified workers in our healthcare system. But unfortunately, we also see that there are a lot of skilled foreign nurses and doctors who find that the current rules hinder you from lending a hand and contributing,” says Sophie Løhde. However, the applicant must have a specific job offer on hand, she goes on to say and points out: “It will still be the case that the employer must ensure that you can speak, read and write Danish. /ritzau/