Unprecedented safety concerns raised over newly opened Danish university hospital

A coalition of eight labour unions has filed formal complaints with Denmark’s Working Environment Authority and Patient Safety Authority over severe safety risks at the newly inaugurated Aalborg University Hospital, DR reports.

Jes Søgaard, professor of health economics at the University of Southern Denmark, described the joint complaint as highly unusual. “I’ve worked in healthcare since 1980, and I can’t recall a similar case,” he said.

The unions—representing doctors, nurses, and technical staff—list critical failures including malfunctioning ventilation, inadequate sun shading causing excessive heat, and faulty emergency call systems that leave patients unable to summon help in falls or medical emergencies. Other issues include exposed patient data visible from waiting areas, poor lighting that hampers diagnostic imaging, and insufficient space for medical record-keeping, risking delays in documentation.

Hospital management acknowledged “known challenges affecting the work environment” but called the complaint unexpected. They stated they are working with relevant parties to implement short- and long-term solutions.

Søgaard linked the problems to the hospital’s troubled construction, which faced water damage, budget overruns, and delays. “Prolonged delays increase the risk that issues persist when the facility opens,” he noted, adding that regulatory inspections are likely imminent. “This isn’t just a minor dispute—it could lead to immediate enforcement orders, or even treatment bans in certain areas,” he warned.

The unions behind the complaint include the Danish Medical Association’s young doctors’ division, the Danish Nurses’ Organisation, FOA (public sector workers), HK Kommunal, 3F, Danish Metal, the Danish Electrical Workers’ Union, and the Plumbers’ and Sheet Metal Workers’ Union.