Unions report new Aalborg hospital as unsafe for patients and staff
Trade unions representing staff at Aalborg University Hospital have filed formal complaints with Denmark’s Working Environment Authority and the Patient Safety Authority, claiming the newly inaugurated facility poses risks to both patients and employees, DR reports.
The hospital, officially opened by Crown Princess Mary on Tuesday, has been plagued by technical failures, inadequate ventilation, and insufficient patient capacity, according to eight unions representing doctors, nurses, and technical staff.
Vibe Lyng Lindgren, chair of Young Doctors in North Jutland, stated that staff have raised concerns for months without response. “Our members feel frustrated and powerless,” she said. “It takes extra energy just to make daily operations work under these conditions—and soon, there won’t be any energy left for the patients.”
Key safety concerns
The unions’ joint complaint lists multiple issues, including:
- Malfunctioning technical systems, such as patient call buttons and emergency cords, delaying critical assistance.
- Lack of proper sun shading and ventilation, causing excessive heat in patient areas.
- Patient examinations conducted behind glass doors, compromising privacy.
- Medical data visible from waiting areas, breaching confidentiality.
- Glare on diagnostic screens, risking errors in imaging and test results.
- Insufficient space for medical record-keeping, leading to delays in documentation.
Kristian Gaardsøe of FOA North Jutland criticised hospital management for poor communication. “When problems are reported, it’s unclear when—or if—they’ll be addressed,” he said. Staff have demanded a concrete timeline for fixes, warning that current conditions are unsustainable.
DR has requested comment from hospital leadership and the North Jutland Region.