Senior health leaders from Denmark have visited Lanarkshire, establishing a strong new link in health care reform.
The visitors, from Aalborg University Hospital, explored NHS Lanarkshire’s pioneering Flow Navigation Centre Plus (FNC+Plus), with a focus also on virtual wards and a visit to a Hospital-at-Home (H@H) hub.
Denmark’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have undergone a significant transformation in recent years, shifting from a transport-focused system to an integrated, data-driven and community-engaged model.
Here, NHS Lanarkshire’s Interface Directorate is leading efforts to reshape urgent and emergency care — providing alternatives to hospital care, prioritising care at home, and leveraging technology to streamline services.
The visit marked the beginning of an ongoing collaboration, reinforcing a shared commitment to improving patient care through digital transformation and new care pathways.
Claire Ritchie, Interim Director of Interface, said: “Healthcare reform isn’t just about new systems — it’s about people, partnerships, and the courage to embrace and test new ideas and approaches.
“In Lanarkshire, we’re combining cutting-edge technology with well-established networks to deliver patient-centred, efficient care. We are at the foothills of this reform journey and expanding our partnership with Denmark adds an international dimension to our learning, strengthening our ability to drive meaningful change.”
During the visit, the Danish clinical leaders saw first-hand how FNC+Plus unites multidisciplinary expertise in a single hub. Operating from a state-of-the-art control centre at NHS Lanarkshire HQ, at Kirklands in Bothwell, FNC+Plus is staffed by nurses, emergency consultants, ambulance staff and support personnel. Drawing on decades of diverse frontline experience, concentrated in one room, the team, working 24-7-365, aims to provide faster responses, shorter hospital stays, and, wherever possible, care at – or closer to – home.
Thousands of patients have already benefitted from the service.
Søren Pihlkjær Hjortshøj Medical Director, Aalborg University Hospital said: We have been incredibly impressed by the bold reforms in Lanarkshire, particularly the hospital-at-home service and FNC.
“Denmark and Scotland share a vision for delivering high-quality, sustainable healthcare, and Lanarkshire’s progress is inspiring. We look forward to strengthening ties and exchanging knowledge to enhance both our systems.”
In January, Scottish Government set out a new vision for healthcare reform focussed on technology, community-based care, and integrated services to deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time. The H@H service and Virtual Wards showcases this approach by working closely with FNC+Plus to avoid the need for unnecessary hospital admissions.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Graham Ellis, who hosted the Danish visit to Lanarkshire, reinforced the importance of global collaboration as Scotland drives towards a bold and ambitious vision of reform.
“Innovation in healthcare is about harnessing energy, learning from one another, and driving forward meaningful change,” said Professor Ellis.
“Our colleagues from both Denmark and Lanarkshire have not only shown a willingness to rethink traditional models to ensure services remain sustainable and effective, but are also building evidence of successfully doing so.
“Fostering links like this are key to delivering better patient outcomes in the years ahead.”
Fact file
• Hospital at Home provides hospital-level care at home through in-person visits from healthcare professionals, while Virtual Wards use remote monitoring technology to track patients’ vital signs and symptoms in real time.
• The two systems are often used in tandem, allowing clinicians to intervene when necessary without always requiring a physical visit, supporting early intervention and keeping patients safe in their own environment.
• Aalborg University Hospital (established in 2013) is one of four highly specialised university hospitals in Denmark. It serves as a joint cooperation within healthcare between North Denmark Region and the Faculty of Medicine at Aalborg University. Included in this cooperation is the former Aalborg Hospital and Aalborg Psychiatric Hospital, now designated Aalborg University and Aalborg University Hospital – Psychiatry, respectively.
• The close cooperation between Aalborg University, the University Hospital and the other hospitals in the region ensures health research, education and innovation at international level in the North Denmark Region. Through a mutual relationship between research and clinical practice the aim is to create new and more effective diagnostics, treatment, care and rehabilitation for the residents of the region.
