Experts warn that dementia diagnoses in Denmark’s Central Jutland Region are too fragmented, risking lower quality and misdiagnoses. Regional leaders now promise change after strong national criticism.
Dementia Care Under Fire in Central Denmark
Health experts warn that dementia diagnoses in the Central Jutland Region are facing unequal treatment because diagnostic work is spread across too many hospital departments. National specialists say the system fails to meet official guidelines and could lead to misdiagnoses or delays in vital care.
Unlike other Danish regions that have consolidated dementia assessments, Central Jutland performs evaluations at 13 different sites. According to national standards, diagnostic work should be handled by only a few large units with higher patient volumes to ensure professional expertise.
Too Many Small Units, Too Few Patients
Each year, only one of Central Jutland’s units, based at Aarhus University Hospital, reaches the recommended scale with around 779 patient cases. Ten of the 13 units handle fewer than 100 patients a year, and one sees as few as four. These low volumes mean doctors and nurses have limited experience with rare dementia types, which could affect diagnostic accuracy and access to specialized tests.
From what I can tell, the challenge goes beyond numbers. In smaller units, some diagnostic tools simply are not available, making it harder to confirm or rule out complex brain diseases. Specialist centers in other parts of the country have already shown higher accuracy when centralizing dementia diagnostics.
National Standards Call for Centralization
The Danish Health Authority has recommended since 2017 that each region consolidate dementia diagnostics into fewer, stronger centers capable of handling at least 400–500 patients per year, later updated to 600–700. This model aims to reduce variation and ensure consistent quality nationwide.
The northern region of Denmark, for instance, operates a single consolidated center in Aalborg. That approach improved coordination between neurologists, geriatric specialists, and neuropsychologists. Similar restructuring could help other areas deliver higher-quality care.
Readers can explore more on how changes in the Danish healthcare system, such as reduced hospital waiting times, have improved patient outcomes through better coordination.
Patient and Family Concerns
Patient groups like the Alzheimer’s Association view the current organization in Central Jutland as concerning. They argue that while local access matters, uneven quality risks causing greater harm over time.
Interestingly, other regions have solved the distance problem by using satellite clinics connected to main dementia centers. Specialists travel periodically to smaller towns, ensuring that patients receive expert-level care without compromising accessibility. Central Jutland has not yet adopted that model.
Meanwhile, the number of Danes undergoing examinations for dementia diagnoses has increased from about 7,900 in 2016 to more than 10,800 in 2024. Nearly 8,750 individuals received a confirmed dementia diagnosis last year. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for roughly half of all cases, and national forecasts estimate that around 145,000 people could live with dementia by 2040.
A Personal Story Illustrates the Stakes
One patient, Bendte Erenskjold Madsen, was diagnosed with dementia at 44. She describes how confusion and forgetfulness subtly entered her daily life before doctors confirmed her condition. Early detection allowed her to manage symptoms better and stay connected with her two sons. Her story underlines the importance of fast and accurate diagnosis across the entire country.
In fact, early diagnosis can slow disease progression and help families plan everyday life more effectively. The earlier the treatment starts, the higher the chance of maintaining independence and emotional well-being.
Political Pressure for Change
Regional politicians from several parties now agree that reform is needed. Leaders from the Social Democrats, Conservatives, Liberals, and the Social Liberal Party all acknowledge that the current setup has failed to meet quality expectations.
Even though the system was originally designed to bring care closer to rural communities, regional leaders now conclude that quality should come first. They also point to growing cases of dementia diagnoses as another reason to restructure the program soon.
This discussion mirrors broader reforms in Danish healthcare, including policies such as patient-centered hospital food programs and other regional innovations to improve care standards.
Reorganization efforts are expected to be on the agenda after the upcoming regional and municipal elections, which can be followed on DR’s election coverage.
Sources and References
DR.dk – Dementia Evaluation Stands Out in a Region
DR Kommunalvalg
The Danish Dream – Danish Hospitals See Big Drop in Surgery Waiting Times
The Danish Dream – Danish Hospitals Adopt New Patient-Centered Food Policy
