New procedure for providing medical care for mental disorders

From July 1, 2023, medical care for mental disorders will be provided according to the new rules (Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 668n dated 14.10.2022 "On approval of the Procedure for providing medical care for mental disorders and behavioral disorders" (Registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation No. 70940 on 14.11.2022)).

The current procedure will become invalid.

The list of diseases for which the rules are applied has been changed:

• added violations of psychological development;
• mental disorders due to taking psychoactive substances were excluded.

The document will also be used in cases of suspected mental disorders.

Types of medical care were supplemented with palliative care.

Telemedicine was allowed to be used for remote interaction of medical workers with each other, with patients and their legal representatives.

It will be possible to make an appointment with a psychiatrist (including a child) through Public Services.

The appendices to the order have been adjusted. In particular, the functions of the neuropsychiatric dispensary were clarified. These included, among other things, the use of coercive measures of a medical nature and psychological support for family members of patients.