- 17 33. No comprehensive individual treatment plans, tailored for each patient, were in evidence at any of the establishments visited. The use of individual treatment plans, a discussion with the patient about his or her plan, and its regular review, would go a long way, in the CPT’s view, in giving purpose and structure to placement in psychiatric care. To this end, the Committee recommends that comprehensive individual treatment plans, offering a range of treatment options in accordance with a multi-disciplinary approach, be drawn up and regularly revised for patients in all psychiatric establishments in Greece. Each individual treatment plan should include the diagnosis, the goals of treatment, the therapeutic means used and the staff members responsible; it should also take into account the special needs of acute, long-term and forensic patients and, with respect to the latter, the need to reduce any risk they may pose. Patients should be involved in the drafting and revision of their individual treatment plans and be informed of their progress. 34. The CPT’s delegation encountered very confusing and incomplete medical record keeping at several of the establishments visited. At times, it appeared impossible even for staff members themselves to locate information pertaining to a patient’s state of health, due to the multitude of separate files kept, and due to the fact that important diagnostic information and regular reviews were lacking. The situation at Athina Psychiatric Clinic was particular poor in this respect, due to an evidently less-than-rigorous concern with the orderly keeping of medical records. By contrast, a notable exception was found at the Psychiatric Units at Gennimatas and Sotiria Hospitals, where medical files were well kept and of a good quality. From the very beginning of the assessment of patients prior to admission, thorough diagnostic information was provided – as opposed to the box-ticking exercise which was typical elsewhere – and the files clearly showed that patients and their state of health were thoroughly and regularly assessed. This is very positive. The CPT recommends that the necessary steps be taken to ensure that all psychiatric establishments institute an efficient system of medical record-keeping, which allows for appropriate qualitative oversight, both internally and by external monitoring bodies.

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