Regionshospitalet Horsens is expanding its cardiology services, launching an independent Heart Disease Department on October 2, 2025. This will allow 1,500 more patients to access cardiac care in Denmark locally instead of traveling to other cities.
Major Expansion of Cardiac Care in Horsens
Residents of Horsens and surrounding municipalities will soon benefit from a significant upgrade to their local healthcare options. On October 2, 2025, Regionshospitalet Horsens will officially inaugurate its new independent Department of Heart Disease. This will mark a turning point in the accessibility and quality of cardiac care in Denmark. Some patients will get help closer to home.
Previously, patients requiring diagnosis, treatment, or follow-up for heart conditions were commonly referred to facilities in other cities within the Central Denmark Region. With this new department, healthcare is being brought closer to home, aligning with Denmark’s broader healthcare reform strategy aimed at decentralizing specialized treatment. It’s a step toward better and faster access to care.
Local Access for 1,500 More Patients
The new department will allow approximately 1,500 additional patients annually. They can receive evaluations and follow-up care in Horsens rather than traveling to larger city hospitals. This shift not only improves convenience for local citizens but also reduces pressure on regional health centers.
Patients suffering from conditions such as arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and dysfunctional heart valves will benefit from this localized, specialized care. The department will consist of a dedicated clinical facility and an inpatient ward. Here they can handle both routine, services, and emergency cardiac care in Denmark.
Increased Specialist Staffing
One of the primary obstacles to developing a cardiac unit in Horsens has historically been a shortage of qualified heart specialists. However, in the past year, as the new department has taken shape, the facility has successfully attracted more medical talent.
Currently, ten cardiologists, including a chief physician, have been hired, and recruitment is set to continue through 2026. The creation of a collaborative professional environment with opportunities for development has been a key factor in attracting these highly qualified professionals. Their expertise is expected to ensure the sustainability and robustness of the new unit.
Regional Investment and New Budget Responsibilities
On August 20, 2025, the Central Denmark Regional Council formally approved a dedicated budget for the cardiology services at Regionshospitalet Horsens. The department will assume independent budgetary responsibility for the period from October 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026. This move is intended to consolidate services previously outsourced to private providers while reinforcing public healthcare infrastructure.
With full autonomy over its operations and finances, the department is positioned to adapt quickly to patient needs, improve operational efficiency, and remain aligned with broader health reforms.
Official Opening Set for October 2
The official opening of the new Department of Heart Disease will take place on Thursday, October 2, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the hospital’s high-rise building on the fifth floor. Members of the press and public representatives are invited to attend. The inauguration marks the beginning of a new era in local healthcare delivery for Horsens and its surrounding areas.
About Regionshospitalet Horsens
Regionshospitalet Horsens is one of five acute care hospitals serving the Central Denmark Region. It acts as the primary hospital for around 233,000 residents across the municipalities of Horsens, Hedensted, Skanderborg, and Odder.
In addition to acute and elective treatment services, the hospital is actively involved in medical education, development, and research. It also includes affiliated facilities such as Skanderborg Health Center and the Brædstrup Lifestyle Center. The hospital currently supports the equivalent of 1,628 full-time jobs.
Improving Public Healthcare Locally
The launch of the new heart disease department serves as a model for how regional hospitals in Denmark can be strengthened to take on more specialized roles. By reducing patient travel, increasing specialist staffing, and offering high-quality care within the community, the initiative is already being seen as a significant step toward more equitable and accessible healthcare.
As the department becomes fully operational and continues to expand, it is expected not only to improve outcomes for cardiac care in Denmark but also to relieve pressure on neighboring hospitals and illustrate the benefits of decentralizing healthcare services within Denmark’s public system.
