WRITTEN QUESTION E-3775/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (21 November 1997)

Subject: The mentally ill

The Association of Neuropsychiatric Clinics of Athens and Attica has issued an official announcement condemning the desperate state of health care for the mentally ill in Greece.

The complete indifference of the Greek state towards the problems facing private psychiatric clinics has obliged the latter to postpone the admission of new patients for two weeks.

Since 1992 the daily contribution towards medical expenses provided by the state for private clinics has been fixed at Drs. 7 000, while the equivalent sum for public psychiatric clinics is Drs. 30 000.

However, 50% of the mentally ill in Greece are being cared for in private clinics, either out of choice or because the public sector is unable to treat all these patients who number some 9 000 people.

Given that the EU has been funding psychiatric health care in Greece for a number of years, will the Commission say:

1. What level of funding has been allocated so far for this purpose and how much has been earmarked for the years ahead?

2. On the basis of the principle of fair competition between the public and private sectors and the right of patients to choose the doctor or hospital they wish, under what conditions could the private sector benefit from EU aid to improve its infrastructures and enhance care of the mentally ill?

3. Have the funds so far allocated to Greece been properly used? Has any investigation been carried out into this? If so, what were the findings?

4. Does it believe that this tactic by the Greek Government constitutes a violation of EU rules and principles and, if so, what actions does it intend to take to address this situation?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (26 January 1998)

1. The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that its financial contribution with respect to the psychiatric care system in Greece has been limited to an exceptional financial support under programme B of Regulation (EEC) No 815/84 of 26 March 1984 on exceptional financial support in favour of Greece in the social field ((OJ L 88, 31.3.1984. )) concerning the reform of the psychiatric care system in Greece. The aim of this specific programme was to reduce the number of new admissions in the large state mental hospitals, to prevent mental patients from becoming chronic and institutionalised and to promote the return of long-stay patients into the community. Action under this Regulation was completed at the end of 1995. The Community contribution during the 12-year implementation period totalled approximately 50 MECU.

2. It falls within the competence of the national authority to address the specific problems of private psychiatric clinics in Greece.

3. A final report on the implementation of achievements of Regulation (EEC) No 815/84 was submitted by the Commission to the Council and to the Parliament in December 1995 ((COM(95) 668 final. )). It concluded that the objectives of this Regulation had been achieved and its impact had been very significant. Some of the action initiated under this Regulation, aiming at the socio-economic rehabilitation of long-stay patients is actually being continued under the operational programme 'Combating exclusion from the labour market' of the 1994-1999 Community support framework for Greece.

4. The Commission can not share the opinion of the Honourable Member. In an effort to continue and consolidate the psychiatric reform effort initiated under the Regulation above, the Greek authorities are currently elaborating a 10-year action plan (1997-2006). The Commission will examine which actions under this plan could receive financial support in the context of the afore mentioned operational programme in the remaining years of the 1994-1999 programming period.