The reform of psychiatric care in Greece: 1983-1989

Abstract

SummaryWe have attempted to evaluate quantitative changes in the mental health delivery system in Greece, dictated by a fiveyear program to reform psychiatric care. By the end of the program, a number of psychiatric units in general hospitals, as well as community mental health centres, had been created, while the number of beds in psychiatric hospitals have been significantly reduced. Mental health services have become more accessible to the population, and served more patients. However, not all the objectives of the program have been met. Only about half of the initially proposed number of beds in the psychiatric units in general hospitals have been actually developed. The catchment area, a basic pre-requisite of the program, has not been put into effect. Finally, the noticeable trend towards a restriction of the role of psychiatric hospitals did not coincide with the development of adequate new services.