ABSTRACT
AIM: To assess the structural performance of psychiatric hospitals in Germany during the COVID(coronavirus disease)-19 pandemic, a nationwide survey was launched in March 2020, in which the corona-related changes in care structures during the first wave of the pandemic were collated. METHODS: Data on the care situation were collected by means of a survey in 38 out of 388 contacted psychiatric and psychotherapy hospitals in Germany over the course of 1 month. The changes and adaptations of the care structures, the type of therapy measures applied and care options for people with mental disorders and a COVID-19 infection as well as the legal basis underlying the care for patients unable to consent were documented. RESULTS: On average, the inpatient treatment capacity of psychiatric hospitals in Germany decreased by approximately 40% compared with prepandemic periods. Day clinic and outpatient services were also only available in a limited form or were even discontinued completely. Specialized wards for patients with COVID-19 infections were available in most of the surveyed clinics (84%). CONCLUSION: Psychiatric hospitals were already able to respond quickly and adequately to the crisis situation in the first wave of the pandemic, e.g. by setting up COVID wards; however, the reduction in treatment capacity to 60% has significantly worsened the care situation for people with mental illnesses. Therefore, further efforts should urgently be made to adapt mental health care to the requirements of the pandemic in the long term.