North Jutland region may close 32 psychiatric beds

Region Nordjylland may close 32 psychiatric beds in Frederikshavn and Thisted and establish six beds in Brønderslev instead, DR reports. The regional council is expected to decide on the proposal next month.

The plan is being considered because the region is struggling to recruit enough permanently employed specialist psychiatrists. Patients in Frederikshavn would have just over 50 kilometres to psychiatric care in Brønderslev, while patients in Thisted would face almost 100 kilometres.

The mayors of Frederikshavn and Thisted have sent letters expressing concern to the region. They fear that psychiatric help will become too distant for their residents.

“These people cannot simply get on a bus and travel to somewhere they can receive help. For some of them, it is difficult even to get out of bed in the morning or take a shower,” Frederikshavn Mayor Jon Andersen of the Liberal Party said.

Thisted Mayor Niels Jørgen Pedersen, also of the Liberal Party, said the proposal was inconsistent with the health reform’s goal of creating a local and coherent healthcare system.

Concerns about permanent closure

Residents and employees have held demonstrations against the closure of the psychiatric beds.

The situation follows a decision by all of Denmark’s regions to phase out long-term locum arrangements for psychiatric specialists next year. Region Nordjylland has been unable to recruit enough permanent specialists for Frederikshavn and Thisted.

The two municipalities have been assured that the closures would be temporary. However, consultation responses from organisations, psychiatric staff and residents express concern that the closures could become permanent.

They point to the fact that the region has not said when it expects to restore the beds. The region has also previously closed psychiatric beds in Aalborg and Brønderslev that were never reopened.

“You are never comfortable when you are told that it is a temporary downgrade of the psychiatric departments,” Pedersen said.

“But we are not giving up. We believe the distance from Thisted to Brønderslev is too far, and we will continue fighting to keep the 16 psychiatric beds we have now.”

The psychiatric departments in Frederikshavn and Thisted would not close completely. Each town would retain 10 beds, but these would only be available to patients who have completed psychiatric treatment and need help returning to everyday life.