Abstract
This article reflects on some radical changes made in mental health services in China which include the implementation of the initial triage system and the special isolation ward, the early screening and testing for both patients and staff, the smaller teams working on rotating shifts on-site, and the adequate provision of PPE. These measures would be of great value as a reference to the effective delivery of mental health services in other countries through this pandemic.
Highlights
BackgroundThe World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a “public health emergency” [1]
On‐site triage On-site COVID-19 screening sites have been temporarily set up at entrances of hospitals
Admission pathways Hospitals set up special isolation wards for all new admissions to monitor any COVID-19 symptoms due to the incubation period
Summary
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a “public health emergency” [1]. With 173 million people living with mental disorders in China [2], the COVID19 outbreak has posed an emerging challenge for mental health services in China [3]. Following the report of a cluster of 50 cases of COVID19 amongst inpatients in one psychiatric hospital in Wuhan, China, on 9th February, 2020 [4], significant concerns were raised. A statement addressed the prevention and control of COVID-19 in patients with severe mental disorders on 17th February, 2020 [5]. Mental health institutions have since taken a series of mandatory measures to address prevention of nosocomial cross-infection between patients and medical staff during the pandemic period, as well as easing difficulties of access to mental health services
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