A new commission has on Tuesday presented six recommendations, which are intended to form the foundation for a future healthcare reform. One of the main recommendations focuses on integrating psychiatry with the rest of the healthcare system to create better treatment pathways for patients with mental disorders. Jesper Fisker, chairman of the commission and director of the Danish Cancer Society, highlights that better integration between psychiatry and somatics can lead to more efficient coordination and improved health outcomes for patients. Fisker points out that the current lack of communication between the two areas results in poorer treatment pathways for patients suffering from both physical and mental disorders. The commission, established in March 2023, aims to develop recommendations that can be included in the government’s upcoming healthcare reform, expected later this year.
The proposal to integrate psychiatry has already received support from organizations like Better Psychiatry and the Mental Health Foundation. Marianne Skjold, director of the Mental Health Foundation, emphasizes the need for swift action from the government. She highlights that the significant divide between somatics and psychiatry, as well as the existing stigma and lack of knowledge, have serious consequences for patients’ quality of life. Therefore, the recommendations from the commission are intended to contribute to creating a more holistic and coherent healthcare system, where patients with mental disorders can receive the necessary attention and treatment.