The Capital Region of Denmark is enhancing its palliative care services with round-the-clock advisory support, expanded social work resources for families with seriously ill children, and improved coordination across hospitals, municipalities, and general practitioners.
Expanded Investment in Palliative Services
The political leadership in the Capital Region of Denmark has allocated DKK 2.6 million (approx. $376,000 USD) for 2025 and DKK 2.5 million (approx. $362,000 USD) annually starting in 2026 to improve the region’s palliative care services. Following a review by the Regional Council, these funds will be distributed across three core initiatives: the launch of a 24-hour palliative advisory line, strengthening social work support for families of severely ill children, and creating a framework for deeper collaboration between hospitals, municipalities, and general practitioners.
24-Hour Palliative Advisory Service
One of the key initiatives is the introduction of a 24/7 palliative care advisory hotline. This service will be staffed by healthcare professionals capable of providing specialized advice and guidance at all hours. It is designed to support not only patients and their families but also healthcare staff, including nurses in specialized palliative care units and municipal home care nurses working with patients receiving outpatient palliative care.
The continuous availability of professional guidance aims to improve the quality and timeliness of care provided to critically ill patients, especially outside normal working hours. This initiative aligns with the broader national strategy found in Denmark’s Cancer Plan V, which emphasizes improving quality of life for cancer patients during and after treatment.
Improved Support for Families with Seriously Ill Children
The region is also reinforcing its existing support systems for children and adolescents with life-threatening conditions through the Pediatric Palliative Care Team (PABU). This team currently operates with only 0.4 full-time equivalents (FTE) in social work resources. However, this limited capacity often leads to healthcare professionals taking on non-medical responsibilities typically handled by trained social workers.
To ease this burden and improve service delivery, the region will expand social work staffing to 1.5 FTEs. These additional resources are expected to offer families more consistent support, facilitate cross-sector collaboration, and increase capacity for consultation and training at the municipal level—especially crucial in light of the ongoing national healthcare reforms that encourage stronger local healthcare systems.
Stronger Cross-Sector Collaboration
To ensure a more unified and effective framework for end-of-life care, the region will establish a specialized working group. This group will be responsible for analyzing and making recommendations to improve collaboration among hospitals, municipal health services, and general practitioners in providing palliative care.
The goal is to reduce fragmentation and create a more patient-centered and seamless experience for individuals facing life-threatening illnesses. Comprehensive care coordination is expected to enhance both the quality of care and the emotional support available to patients and their families.
Putting Patient and Family Needs First
These initiatives reflect a growing focus in Danish healthcare on holistic, patient-centered care—particularly in the final stages of life. By formalizing communication pathways, providing round-the-clock support, and equipping families with the resources they need, the Capital Region aims to make the final months of life more dignified for patients and less stressful for their loved ones.
The new measures also underscore the importance of balancing clinical responsibilities with social and psychological support, as more families seek care that extends beyond hospital walls.
With an aging population and increasing numbers of chronically ill children requiring complex care, the demands on Denmark’s health system are evolving. Through targeted investments and structural improvements, the Capital Region is working to ensure it can meet these challenges with compassion and efficiency.
