[Increased use of resources at psychiatric departments after the introduction of legislation on limitation of liberty and other forms of restriction in psychiatry. A prospective 3-month study].

The Danish legislation on restriction of liberty and other forms of compulsion in psychiatry was introduced on 1.10.1989. This legislation has involved an increased workload for psychiatric departments. A prospective investigation during a period of three months in an acute closed admission department in Frederiksberg Hospital revealed, as minimum figures, increased weekly working time for the caring staff of 28 1/2 hours, for doctors 6 1/4 hours and one hour for secretaries. In addition, the department registered an increased bed-day employment resulting from the new legislation. As the department has not received any new resources of note, this time must be taken from the time available for therapeutic work for all of the patients. Unless new resources are awarded to psychiatry, it is to be feared that the general psychiatric service will deteriorate.