Staff at new Aalborg hospital resort to hanging trash bags in windows to block extreme heat

Employees at Aalborg University Hospital have taken unusual measures to combat excessive indoor temperatures, hanging paper, trash bags, and even mattresses in windows to shield against sunlight, reports Danish broadcaster DR. The newly opened hospital, operational for just 11 weeks, is struggling with malfunctioning blinds and an incomplete climate control system, leaving staff and patients exposed to temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F) in some areas.

Kristina Nowak, a nurse and workplace safety representative in the oncology department, described daily challenges for staff, including headaches from prolonged heat exposure. “We have colleagues who go home with headaches every day because they sit in the heat at their desks with no way to ventilate,” she told DR. On one patient ward, a mattress was propped against a window to block sunlight—a problematic solution for patients with light sensitivity or fevers in rooms reaching 28°C (82°F).

Measurements show temperatures of 27–31°C (80–88°F) in multiple offices, severely disrupting workflow. Vibe Lynge Lindgren, chair of the Young Doctors’ association, noted that glare from unfiltered sunlight forces staff to squint at screens, while heat-induced headaches impair concentration. “It’s hindering doctors from doing their jobs,” she said.

The issues stem from two primary failures: built-in window blinds that do not function in many areas, and a ventilation system not yet fully operational. Hospital management acknowledged in an internal memo that fine-tuning temperature and air circulation could take “about a year” to complete across all zones.

Hospital director Lars Dahl Pedersen called the current conditions “far too hot” but said temporary fixes—including additional window films and ventilation—are being implemented. “We prioritise ensuring patients aren’t affected, though some areas still exceed safe temperatures,” he admitted, adding that he “respects the creativity” of staff improvising solutions. Repairs to faulty blinds are expected to finish by June.

The hospital, which began admitting inpatients 11 weeks ago, has faced a series of operational challenges since opening, including lack of staff lockers, noise in operating theatres, and privacy concerns in changing areas. Management has recognised employee frustrations in internal communications, pledging to address the issues as they arise.