Every year a large number of reports on the mental health services (GGZ)is published. The Trimbos Institute issues an annual GGZ Trend Report, which contains an analysis of the main developments in mental health.
In the most recent trend report the following issues are discussed:
Organisation, Structure and Financing
The section ‘Organisation, Structure and Financing’ looks at issues including system reform in the sector, outlining the new legislation and regulations as well as their possible consequences. Clearly the new system has changed the dynamic. Organisations have to compete with each other and are developing in different ways. The mental health care can therefore no longer be seen as a uniformly organised sector. It is not yet clear how the new financing framework will pan out in the long term. The report therefore includes a number of possible future scenarios.
Access and Health Care Use
The section ‘Access and Health Care Use’ concludes that the mental health services are “reasonably” accessible for people with mental health problems. The more serious the symptoms, the greater the likelihood that a sufferer will receive care. However, waiting times for care are getting longer on account of the rising demand for outpatient services. In order to reduce the pressure on secondary mental health care, it is recommended that also people with more serious problems should be treated at primary level. This will leave more scope for second level mental health services to deal with complex psychiatric problems.
Quality and Effectiveness
The section 'Quality and Effectiveness’ contains preliminary national figures about effectiveness, safety and client centeredness in the mental health care. 70% of mental health clients report having a better grip on their problems since receiving treatment. 75% are satisfied with the treatment received. And 94% consented to the treatment plan. There are still insufficient national data on safety; more research is required in this area.
