[The universitarisation of regions for psychiatric care - Facilitating access to care, combating medical desertification].

Abstract

Mental disorders are on the increase, while access to care is becoming increasingly difficult for those affected. This article presents the "Projet de Liaison Universitaire de TerritOire du Nord" (PLUTON), an initiative to improve access to psychiatric care in an area of the Hauts-de-France region and to combat medical desertification. Initially conceived as a response to a health crisis, PLUTON has gradually evolved to rethink the organisation of psychiatric care in a given area. The aim was to preserve the structure of sector-based care while adding a university dimension to clinical, research and teaching activities. The success of this project is the result of an innovative, collaborative approach based on the pooling of existing resources. This tried and tested methodology means that the project can be easily and effectively replicated in other areas.