Evaluation of the new legislation on psychiatric compulsory care in Sweden

In 1992 the Compulsory Mental Act from 1966 was replaced by two enactments. The purpose was to restrict the use of compulsory care and coersive measures, to strengthen the legal safeguards for the patients, and to increase the protection of society. A follow-up and evaluation of the reform has been performed by the National Board. This paper will present details of the results. The main impression was that the laws function fairly well. However, the National Board proposed some changes in the new acts. The government has started a parliamentary group to consider these suggestions.