History
Lillebælt Hospital – Vejle is one of Denmark’s seven dedicated cancer centres and a recognised leader in integrated oncology and palliative care. Established in 1983, the Department of Oncology has grown from an inpatient unit to a comprehensive cancer centre that combines specialised treatment, cutting-edge research, and holistic patient support.
Originally part of the 2008 merger that formed Lillebælt Hospital, Vejle has since developed into a flagship institution for patient-centred cancer care. With a strong commitment to shared decision-making, rapid diagnostics, and seamless care pathways, the hospital ensures that patients receive both advanced treatment and compassionate support throughout their disease trajectory.
Profile
The Department of Oncology at Vejle Hospital provides a full spectrum of cancer care, including outpatient and inpatient oncology services, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, a specialised palliative care team, and a dedicated research unit. The department is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, nurses, physiotherapists, physicists, psychologists, and social workers, all working together to ensure high-quality care.
Each year, the department handles approximately:
- 60,000 outpatient visits
- 1,500 admissions
- 25,000 radiotherapy sessions
- 15,000 chemotherapy treatments
A key feature of Vejle Hospital’s approach is the assignment of a dedicated oncologist to each patient, ensuring continuity of care, coordinated treatment, and a strong doctor-patient relationship. The department also collaborates closely with general practitioners and the communities.
Specialities
Vejle Hospital provides specialised treatment for all the most common types of cancer, following international clinical guidelines and evidence-based medicine. A hallmark of its care model is early integration of supportive and palliative interventions, ensuring that patients receive personalised care tailored to their needs.
The department is a leader in shared decision-making, actively involving patients and their families in treatment choices, symptom management, and end-of-life planning. Family conversations, facilitated by nurse specialists, help address emotional and practical concerns, ensuring holistic patient and family support.
The hospital is also at the forefront of personalised medicine, with active participation in clinical trials, genomic profiling, and innovative radiotherapy techniques.
Palliative and Supportive Care
The Specialised Palliative Care Team at Vejle Hospital is fully integrated into oncology services, ensuring that palliative care is not just end-of-life care but an essential part of cancer treatment from diagnosis onward. The team includes doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, social workers, and chaplains, offering a multidisciplinary approach to symptom relief and quality-of-life support.
The team provides:
- Home-based palliative care, allowing patients to receive expert support in their own homes.
- An outpatient clinic for symptom management and individualised supportive care.
- An inpatient clinic with 10 beds dedicated to the care of terminally ill cancer patients who require specialised symptom management and end-of-life support.
- A hospital in-house function offering palliative care for patients with organ failure and other non-malignant diseases, ensuring equitable access to palliative interventions beyond oncology.
- A 12-week palliative rehabilitation program, including patient and caregiver education, group physical therapy, and psychological support.
- An advisory function, offering telephone consultations, ward visits, and participation in routine patient conferences.
- Collaboration with the local hospice, ensuring seamless transitions when specialised end-of-life care is needed.
- Education and training for healthcare professionals, ensuring that palliative care knowledge is integrated across hospital departments and within primary care settings.
Vejle Hospital’s holistic, patient-first approach makes it a national leader in integrated cancer and palliative care, ensuring that every patient receives not only the best possible treatment but also the support and compassion they need.
Last update: February 2025
