The Capital Region of Denmark’s Medicoboard works with the “Mallorca Principle”.
When, after decades of massive tourism and run-down hotels, Mallorca needed to turn the tide and create sustainable tourism, the message from authorities to entrepreneurs was clear: You must remove two old hotels for every new one you build.
“The same goes for scanners, for example. Reducing the number of out-of-commission scanners is both more environmentally friendly and more efficient. In return, we are extending opening hours from 2 pm to 6 pm and in some places, to 9 pm, to reach more patients and improve quality. The more accurate a scan is, the better the diagnosis, and in the same way, treatment becomes safer, gentler and more effective when you can target a tumour precisely,” says Lars Gaardhøj (Social Democratic Party), Chairman of the Regional Council.
Opening hours are being extended
He is delighted that Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, as well as Rigshospitalet, have so far extended their opening hours for scans, among other things. The other hospitals are following suit, so each machine runs for more hours a day.
“For many people, not having to take time off school or work to come in for a scan is a big advantage. At the same time, the equipment is used more optimally, and we don’t have to maintain outdated equipment - it saves money and is a greener solution,” says Lars Gaardhøj.
When hospitals extend their opening hours and need to perform the same number of examinations on fewer scanners, this also requires suppliers to be flexible when servicing the scanners, for instance, by scheduling services outside of opening hours or during the hospital’s low-activity periods.
The discarded scanners are being prepared to be reused in countries where they can do good. Others are refurbished and have their operational life extended, so new purchases can be postponed.
The amount of old equipment is increasing
The Capital Region of Denmark has a significant amount of medical equipment, totalling approximately 160,000 devices with a total purchase price of approximately DKK 8 billion - a third of which is obsolete. The amount of obsolete equipment is expected to increase by 300 million per year with the Capital Region of Denmark’s current investment level. The other regions face similar challenges to varying degrees.
“Even though the Regional Council has prioritised DKK 65 million this year for the renewal of medical equipment and hospitals are extending opening hours and making better use of the equipment, there will still be a bill of up to DKK 100 million just for CT and MRI scanners by 2030, as well as probably 250-300 million annually for the entire medical field, even after we have taken the same medicine across the board. All regions need outside help, otherwise the wheels will come off at some point, and then it will be the citizens and patients who will foot the bill,” says second Deputy Chairman of the Regional Council, Thomas Rohden (Danish Social Liberal Party).
Old buildings eat into the fund
Randi Mondorf (Venstre - The Liberal Party of Denmark), a member of Venstre in the Regional Council, believes that the government’s announced healthcare fund of DKK 22 billion (over 10 years) is a very welcome injection.
“However, the bills for renovating old buildings alone can eat into the fund. Therefore, there is a need to allocate money specifically to the medical area to ensure that our equipment supports the treatment of patients in the best possible way,” says Randi Mondorf.
She emphasises that medical devices are a crucial tool in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients. Without functioning equipment, even the best nurses, midwives, radiographers, bioanalysts and doctors fall short.
Facts - Medicoboard
All hospitals in the Capital Region of Denmark are united in an interdisciplinary Medicoboard, which ensures:
Joint cross-functional prioritisation based on needs
Strategic analyses of capacity utilisation and equipment needs
Joint focus on important topics such as cybersecurity and climate change, so it’s adequately considered from the start
Strengthen supplier management and strategic partnerships in a challenging international market with a few very large and dominant players.