- 64 195. The Public Health Establishments at Leros are housed chiefly in the installations of a former military base, which was converted in 1957 into a very large colony for the mentally ill in order, inter alia, to relieve pressure on the Athens and Thessaloniki psychiatric hospitals. Initially, and up to the 1980s, these establishments could admit over 2,000 patients from all parts of Greece, who were transferred to Leros after diagnosis as chronic cases. The discontinuation since 1980-85 of transfers of patients to the Leros establishments (coinciding with the commencement of studies on the reform of psychiatry in Greece) has brought about a gradual and marked reduction in the number of patients. Current admissions are restricted to the Dodecanese Islands and, in principle, involve only acute cases for short courses of treatment lasting a few weeks. At the time of the visit, the official capacity was approximately 900 patients. The actual number of patients was 825 (240 women and 585 men), most being chronic cases who had spent long periods (sometimes 20 to 30 years or more) in the Leros establishments. The 585 men were accommodated on the premises of the former military base (a group of pavilions and cottages), currently designated by the name Lepida. The 240 women were accommodated in pavilions and cottages adjacent to the Leros general hospital (also part of the Leros Public Health Establishments). This complex is known as Lakki. 196. The Hospital for children with special needs is situated near the Lakki complex. Since January 1993, this establishment (formerly called PIKPA) has been merged with the Leros Public Health Establishments. At the time of the visit, the hospital had 145 patients of both sexes aged between 8 and 50 years, most of them suffering from mental deficiency or chronic psychoses. Patients were accommodated in dormitories situated in a building which consisted of four wings. They were long-term patients, whose legal status was not clearly defined. This hospital had had no new admissions since 1985 but faced particularly significant difficulties in arranging the release of patients into the community owing to the lack of reception structures (cf. paragraph 198). b. European Community programmes 197. As already stated (cf. paragraph 12 above), the European Community has been operating programmes in the psychiatric field for the past 8 years, particularly within the framework of Regulation 815/84. A new programme entitled "Horizon" was scheduled to commence in 1993. 198. At the Attica State Mental Hospital, several units had been developed within the framework of Regulation 815/84 (although, according to information received, many projects had not yet been completed). An extramural hostel, a short treatment ward for acute cases and an aid programme for host families outside had been set up. In addition, an internal rehabilitation and occupational training centre had been established, but was not yet in operation at the time of the visit. Co-operative farm work units were also being developed and a day hospital was to be opened, subject to provision of the necessary staff. Furthermore, renovation work had taken place in certain pavilions. New projects were reportedly envisaged under the Horizon programme.