- 65 At the Rafina psychiatric hospital for children, a number of staff training programmes subsidised by the Community had been partly implemented since 1989. There were also rehabilitation programmes for fifteen or more children, aimed at their placement in foster families. At Leros, the Community programme for deinstitutionalising patients of the Lepida and Lakki complexes had made it possible to provide sheltered accommodation both outside and within the boundaries of the Public Health Establishments. Some 230 patients had been placed in such accommodation. In 1993-94, the programme should achieve the following: the transfer of 50 patients to the mainland; the leasing of three non-hospital residences for 6 to 8 patients on Leros and the opening of two residences for 8 to 12 patients on other islands; in the Lakki complex, the opening of a cottage to house 15 patients and of two rehabilitation units each catering for 6 patients; in the Lepida complex, the opening of 2 cottages accommodating 8 and 12 patients respectively. At the Hospital for children with special needs, a Community programme was due to commence, with the aim of enabling some 40 patients to leave the hospital and live in a hostel-type environment (cf. paragraph 208, sub-paragraph 3). 199. These developments were at the heart of the talks held by the delegation with the administrative and medical staff of the establishments visited and with the Secretary General and the Director of Mental Health in the Ministry of Public Health. In particular, during the consultation with senior Ministry officials which concluded the visit, emphasis was placed on the delays and difficulties hampering the implementation of the Community programmes and on the economic and social dilemma raised by large psychiatric institutions. Although some improvements were observed, more significant progress might have been expected considering the time which has elapsed since the inception of the Community programmes and the resources made available. The CPT would like to receive the comments of the Greek authorities on this subject. c. dehospitalisation of chronic patients 200. The Greek authorities have decided to give priority to the discharge of chronic patients from psychiatric hospitals and to the setting-up of half-way houses. The CPT can only encourage this development, whilst hoping that the setting up of half-way houses will precede dehospitalisation (see also, however, paragraph 224). Indeed, it is now widely accepted that large-capacity psychiatric establishments entail major risks of institutionalisation for both patients and staff which may have adverse effects on patients' treatment. In addition, small structures make for significantly easier provision of care which exploits the full range of psychiatric and psycho-social treatment. The CPT would appreciate further information on the plans of the Greek authorities in this respect (number and category of patients affected, types of programme implemented, institutions concerned, timetable for implementation of measures, etc.).