WRITTEN QUESTION P-2026/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (5 June 1997)

Subject: Psychiatric care in Greece

Further to the Commission's answer to my Written Question P-1038/97 ((OJ C 319, 18.10.1997, p. 219.)):

1. The effect of suspending funding for the social exclusion programmes for people with mental health problems until the study for the completion of the psychiatric care reform is approved is that various centres are being dismantled, staff are unsettled and specialists are leaving. What measures will the Commission take to ensure that funding continues in this interim phase until the programmes covered by the new study are finalized and approved?

2. The measures implemented under Regulation 815/84 ((OJ L 88, 31.3.1984, p. 1.)) fell within the terms of reference of the Ministry of Health, whereas the measures relating to the social exclusion of people with mental health problems are now a matter for the Ministry of Labour, the adverse consequences of which are well-known. What steps will the Commission take to ensure that the measures which are a continuation of Regulation 815/84 are the responsibility of the Ministry of Health?

3. Apart from ministry officials, do those taking part in the study of the psychiatric reforms include the people who are directly responsible for and familiar with the situation of psychiatric hospitals and, in particular, the biggest of these, the Attica Psychiatric Hospital?

4. Has provision been made for staff of the Attica Psychiatric Hospital to form part of the committee managing the programmes to combat the social exclusion of people with mental health problems?

5. What stage has been reached in the Greek study of the reform of psychiatric care? When is it expected to be approved and implemented?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (8 July 1997)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that there has been no disruption of payments for actions concerning people with mental health problems under the operational programme 'Combating exclusion from the labour market'.

The Greek ministry for health and welfare remains the responsible authority for action related to the socio-economic exclusion of mentally ill people. As mentioned in the Commission's reply to the Honourable Member's question P-1038/97, the Greek authorities, at the Commission's request, submitted an action plan comprising the action required to continue and consolidate psychiatric reform. There has been an initial Commission reaction to this plan which will be revised further by the Greek authorities during the next few months. In the context of this plan, some actions were identified for implementation during 1997.

The Commission is not in a position to reply to the Honourable Member as to whether representatives from psychiatric hospitals participated in the drafting of the plan of action in question. This matter falls within the competence of the Greek authorities.

The ministerial decisions adopted in July 1996 on the accreditation of implementing agencies and the management of actions under the specific operational programme, do not provide for a management committee for social exclusion programmes concerning people with mental health problems such as that cited by the Honourable Member.