The number of psychiatric patients deprived of their liberty by judicial order is on the rise. According to figures announced by the Federal Minister of Health Franck Vandenbroucke in the Chamber at the beginning of the month, the number of observations increased, between 2016 and 2020, from 5,453 to 7,584, which represents an increase of 39% in 5 years.
In observation, the deprivation of liberty takes place in a psychiatric structure and cannot last more than 40 days and must comply with various criteria including decompensated mental illness, the dangerousness of the patient and his refusal to receive treatment. The head of psychiatric emergencies at Saint-Luc Gérald Deschietere sees several explanations for the increase in the number of interned patients.
“When a person suffers from a psychiatric problem, it is difficult to find a bed in a structure and care is often delayed to such an extent that the person can find themselves in a state where they do not accept more care”, he explains. The reform of the psychiatric sector also plays a role.
“Since the reform, more people are cared for at home. When there is decompensation, patients are cared for more at home.” A third explanation lies in the increase in psychiatric problems following the various crises experienced by Belgium in recent years.
“Behind the observation, there is the idea of responding to a request for care that is easy but which can prove harmful for patients. Sometimes it’s easier for a caregiver to intern a patient than to commit to staying in contact with them. From my position as head of psychiatric emergencies, I find that some requests for observation seem a little light.”, laments the psychiatrist.
