Negotiations between Danish general practitioners and regional health authorities have collapsed. The talks concerned a new financial agreement for doctors.
The Organization of General Practitioners confirmed the breakdown. Regional authorities also acknowledged the deadlock.
Doctors want greater investment from regions as their numbers grow. Approximately 115 new general practitioners will join the workforce next year alone.
PLO Chairman JĂžrgen Skadborg said this growth benefits patients. "It will increase availability for patients," he stated. "Naturally this means we can offer better and faster treatment."
He emphasized this requires adequate financial framework for new doctors to properly care for patients.
The Regions' Pay and Tariff Board, negotiating for regional authorities, had proposed substantial funding increases. They suggested a three-figure million amount for next year.
RLTN Chairman Lars GaardhĂžj stated this provided "good room for more doctors."
Skadborg firmly rejected any reduction in doctor compensation. "Show me a union that would accept their members reducing revenue to solve a task," he challenged. "I haven't seen that historically yet."
No new meetings are currently scheduled between the parties. Both sides remain open to resuming negotiations.
The current negotiations should primarily cover 2026. A health reform will introduce a new fee structure for general practitioners in 2027.
Talks about that agreement will occur next year.
PLO understands comprehensive changes shouldn't be implemented in 2026 before the new structure arrives. Still, Skadborg demands "necessary investments" begin next year.
The standoff reflects Denmark's ongoing challenge balancing healthcare quality with budgetary constraints. Both sides face pressure to resolve this before patient care is affected.