PSYCHIATRY IN DENMARK IN THE 1990S

In Denmark an extreme reduction in the number of psychiatric beds has taken place over the last 15 years - from 2.4/1000 inhabitants in 1976 to 0.9/1000 inhabitants in 1991. With a substantial delay, community psychiatric services have been organized in the country. Concomitantly, the social services are working hard to take over the responsibility of treating psychiatric patients. In spite of severe opposition from the Danish Society of Psychiatry they have succeeded in several regions in Denmark. However, the Danish Parliament has now recommended a stop in the further reduction of psychiatric beds, and The National Board of Health has stated in their status on psychiatry and plans for the future that psychiatry still has its place among the medical specialities.