Campaign launched in Southern Denmark Region to educate citizens on out-of-hours medical service usage

In the Southern Denmark Region, many citizens incorrectly call the out-of-hours medical service instead of their own doctors, prompting the region to launch a campaign aimed at educating the public on appropriate usage. Pernelle Jensen, chair of the Local Health Committee, highlighted the issue, noting that some calls could wait until regular office hours.

Individuals should contact the out-of-hours service primarily for acute issues or if their condition worsens suddenly. However, Morten Svenning Nielsen, a general practitioner and chair of the out-of-hours committee, stated that many patients seek prescription renewals, which should be handled by their primary care physician.

The new campaign will be presented to politicians on Monday. A previous initiative in 2017 and 2018 was effective but saw a decline in proper usage over time. Annette Blynel from the Socialist People’s Party expressed her enthusiasm for the new campaign, agreeing that it is a good initiative.

Morten Svenning Nielsen emphasized his support as well, recalling discussions in 2022 aimed at reducing improper calls to the out-of-hours service. However, there is concern that the campaign may deter individuals from reaching out when they genuinely need assistance. Blynel fears people might hesitate, questioning whether their condition is severe enough to warrant a call.

Assuring the public, Pernelle Jensen stated that anyone in need should feel confident in contacting the out-of-hours service, stressing that the campaign will encourage responsible use rather than discourage legitimate inquiries. The campaign is set to launch in November, featuring advertisements in newspapers, social media posts, and press releases.