Sam Clem-Whiting
October 21st, 2022

Share

Parliament to consider proposal after the election (photo: Tim Bartel)

On August 23, a citizens’ proposal emerged that outlined a plan to offer support to families in the critical period immediately following the sudden death of the mother or father.

In less than a month the proposal garnered an impressive 50,000 supporters.

Support for bereaved families
In the days, weeks and months after a child loses one of their parents, it can be difficult for the surviving parent to properly help their child process and cope with grief amid their own shock. This proposal would make help readily available and easily accessible.

It recommends that within a day of the death or accident, the family should be offered a chance to meet with a bereavement counselor. Should the parent accept, they will be provided information and simple advice for how best to support their child. They will be given the contact information for psychologists, support groups and other possibly relevant persons. All of this information will be made available online.

The information provided will not be groundbreaking or a complete remedy, but its aim is to relieve some of the burden from the grieving parent. A follow-up meeting will be made two months after the initial visit to check in on how the grieving process of the child and the parent is progressing. At this time if more help or support is needed it can be made available.

Parliamentary consideration to follow election
The policy will now be put forward after the election to be considered by Parliament. Until a resolution has been reached, citizens can continue to add their support to the proposal.

Losing a parent and a partner is difficult and nothing will change that, but a proposal such as this may make the hardest days a little less stressful and less lonely, so the parent and child can focus solely on their own well being.

Amputations reporting
Central Jutland and Zealand have conducted studies to determine how many patients may have had their amputation mishandled. The two regions have different methods and have seen vastly different results. Danske Patienter argues that a more uniform approach is needed to create more transparency and justice for patients who may be entitled to compensation. Enhedslisten and SF support the call for a state body that examines the patient records and investigates possibly unnecessary amputations.

Government wants more Baltic Sea monitoring following sabotage
Following the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline with powerful explosions, the government is looking inward and realising the extent of its military deficiencies. The Danish military is lacking in almost every regard, but the most pressing concern is the presence, or lack thereof, in the Baltic Sea. With no patrol boats or submarines, it is difficult to safeguard the integrity of the borders. The government proposes that a new defence settlement is negotiated as soon as the new government is in place.

Psychiatric report and recommendations following Field’s shooting
It has come to light that the 22-year-old Field’s shooter had been in psychiatry only a week before the shooting took place, where according to his statement he had tried to bring up his thoughts of violence and murder. According to DR he also attempted to call the Psychiatric Foundation’s crisis line, but due to altered hours for summer holidays was unable to reach anyone. The taskforce investigating the psychiatric factors of the shooting has created a list of six recommendations to improve the system. The most important action point according to the taskforce to prevent similar future incidents is to increase the continuity of treatment.

Tough sentence for amphetamine manufacturers
Two men have been handed lengthy prison sentence in Sønderborg for producing large quantities of amphetamines (also known as speed). Mikkel Madsen Mehlberg, 21, pleaded guilty and received a sentence of 14 years while the other, 24-year-old Casper Olesen, who is said to have assisted in the endeavour, received nine years. The second man pleaded not guilty and appealed on the spot; Mehlberg is contemplating an appeal. The 14-year punishment for amphetamine production is notably higher than the 12-year punishment often handed out for murder.

WWII Bomb in Femern belt detonated
A 125-kilo, WWII bomb was successfully detonated 26 metres below sea level in the Femern Belt where the construction of an 18 km tunnel between Denmark and Germany continues. Precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the ocean wildlife in the area. With the bomb detonated and construction set to get underway, the tunnel is expected to be opened in 2029.

Strict fishing quota will hit fishing tour operators
Due to fears about low stocks of cod and salmon in the Baltic Sea, a new regulation has been put in place that will limit the amount of these fish that can be caught per person per day to just one. This will be true for independent fishing and tour boats.

Attacks in Brøndby clubhouse
Three Brøndby supporters were assaulted after their derby with FC Copenhagen in the Brøndby supporters’ clubhouse on Sunday. There are no suspects yet, but the perpetrator is not thought to be a Copenhagen fan or a member of the fan group Alpha who have been embroiled in a few violent incidents recently. This adds to what has already been a rough season for Brøndby supporters whose behaviour has seen them banned from away matches.