[The psychiatrist and the new nursing legislation in Belgium: clarifying roles and responsibilities]

In May 2024, the Belgian federal parliament approved new legislation focused on task differentiation and the introduction of a care ladder within the nursing profession. This law recognizes nursing as an autonomous and interprofessional discipline and introduces new professional roles such as the basic nurse, the nurse responsible for general care (VVAZ), the nurse specialist, and the nurse researcher.

To explore the potential impact of this reform on the role of the psychiatrist within Belgian mental health care.

Reflective essay.

Within mental health care, the new legislation leads to a redistribution of tasks: nurses gain greater autonomy and responsibility, while psychiatrists can focus more on complex or acute situations. The reform aims to increase efficiency and better align care with patients’ needs.

While the reform offers opportunities for broader care integration, it also requires clear agreements and appropriate training. Especially in mental health care, where care is often complex and multidisciplinary, strong collaboration between physicians, nurses, and other professionals is essential to ensure high-quality care.