Concern over psychiatric patients hit by ward closures

Only 20-30 patients of 140 will continue their treatment in one of the five wards at the "Lipót" National Psychiatric and Neurology Institute, writes mno.hu. Many of those released are only partly accountable for their actions.

Downsizing of the other wards is also in progress with the majority of patients scheduled to be signed out or simply sent home. According to Magyar Nemzet, the lucky ones will be admitted to one of the hospitals assigned to the area. The paper is concerned that many will stray as a result of unstable mental state and may commit acts harmful to themselves or those around them.

According to the paper's sources, it is conceivable that the institution won't be closed down entirely, but will gradually be transformed into a private clinic once it has been relieved of its "uneconomical" patients.

Closure of the least efficient psychiatric wards at the complex is taking place "at full steam." However, three neurology wards and the world renowned stroke ward may remain in operation until 2008 as the hospitals which will accommodate them are still being built or prepared.

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