[Changes in the function of a psychiatric department during 1983-1988].

From 18.4.1988 to 17.6.1988, 374 emergency referrals were registered and 495 other referrals to the psychiatric admission department, Frederiksberg Hospital. The two main reasons for the referrals, in both men and women, were alcoholism and/or psychosis. Compared to a similar study from the same period in 1983, the number of emergency referrals was stabilized while the number of other referrals increased by 63%. The majority of the 495 other referrals were chronic psychotic patients and/or addicts who were, as a rule, already under treatment in the day-care hospital or out-patient clinic. Previously, part of this group of patients remained in state mental institutions for long periods. After the change to district psychiatric treatment, the admission department acts as a semi-acute asylum, since suitable resorts outside the psychiatric institution are not available.