Nordfyns Kommune has released the manager of Vesterbo Plejecenter in Søndersø from his duties with immediate effect. The decision ends a case that began with a concern letter from around 30 employees.
Avisen Danmark reported on August 25, 2026 that the manager of the municipal care home has been placed on so-called fritstilling, meaning he is released from his work duties. According to the outlet, the municipality’s top management had previously kept him in his position despite sustained criticism.
An external investigation of working conditions at Vesterbo Plejecenter concluded that the problems at the workplace amounted to a health risk for employees. Avisen Danmark notes that around 30 staff members had raised the alarm before the investigation was carried out. The care home is listed by Plejehjemsoversigten as a municipally run facility in 5471 Søndersø.
Concerns raised in 2025
As reported by Seniormonitor on February 24, 2026, about 30 employees at Vesterbo signed a letter of concern in the summer of 2025. The letter was addressed to the Social and Health Committee in Nordfyns Kommune and described poor management and problems with the working environment. It was this letter that triggered the external investigation.
Per Seniormonitor, the investigation examined leadership, the working environment and psychological safety at the care home. The outlet reported that employees said they were told off by management after raising their concerns, and that the report pointed to serious problems with the leadership culture.
Fyens Stiftstidende reported on February 18, 2026 that the investigation found the working environment to constitute a health risk. According to that coverage, leadership problems had left staff with high levels of stress and insecurity. The findings placed pressure on Nordfyns Kommune to act.
What led to the decision now
According to Avisen Danmark’s August 25, 2026 report, the immediate release of the manager follows the external investigation’s conclusion about the health risk to employees. The article describes a process in which the municipality’s top leadership held on to the manager for months despite the criticism, before the case ended in his removal from duty.
The case is one of several in recent years that have drawn attention to management and staffing conditions in Danish elder care. Nordfyns Kommune, which runs Vesterbo, is located on northern Funen and operates the care home in Søndersø. Job advertisements published by the municipality in November 2025 identified Vesterbo as part of its care home structure in the town, including an area leader and a professional leader.
Neither Avisen Danmark nor the earlier reporting names the manager. No official statement from Nordfyns Kommune was available in the material published alongside the reports.
