[Introduction of the Low and Medium Security Psychiatry Unit at the Nyírô Gyula National Institute of Psychiatry and Addictology].

Abstract

Under the direction of the National Directorate General for Hospitals, and based on British examples and methodology, a new inpatient psychiatric ward with a high security level started operating at the National Institute of Psychiatry and Addictology in October 2023. As a new, independent unit, the High Security Psychiatry is a niche in Hungarian psychiatric care. The aim of the project was to reduce the burden on the whole mental health care system in Hungary, to increase public confidence in care and the safety of society through organizing of a specialised care team operating in an appropriate infrastructural environment. The creation of the department was preceded by a process that started in 2017, including the drafting of the necessary legislation to ensure operation, the creation of the infrastructural background, the training of specialised staff, the development of a professional protocol and a risk assessment and referral system, and the establishment of a funding mechanism. In this paper, we would like to describe the professional and environmental conditions and patient care arrangements in our department, looking at the operation of similar forms of care in other countries, mentioning our experience to date and our hopes for the future.