Bornholm establishes dedicated psychiatric emergency unit

Bornholm’s psychiatric patients will now have access to a dedicated emergency unit, bringing the island in line with the rest of the Capital Region of Denmark, reports DR.

The new facility means patients experiencing acute mental health crises will no longer be directed to the general emergency department at Bornholms Hospital, where they previously shared waiting areas with physically ill patients.

Laila Kildesgaard (S), a regional council member for Region Zealand, called the change “a major advantage for patients, relatives, and staff,” noting that separating physical and psychiatric emergencies will significantly improve care.

Bente Helms, chair of the local mental health association SIND Bornholm, described the move as “a huge step forward” in achieving equal treatment with the rest of the Capital Region, where such units already exist. Bornholm was the last area in the region without a dedicated psychiatric emergency service.