Paju-si Operates 24-Hour Public Psychiatric Emergency Beds

Paju City-Paju Police Station-Paju Fire Station-Yonsei Seoul Hospital, Establish Cooperation System

Paju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyung-il) announced on the 26th that it signed a business agreement with Paju Police Station, Paju Fire Station, and Yonsei Seoul Hospital on the 24th to establish a response system for psychiatric emergencies.

Kim Kyung-il, Mayor of Paju City, is taking a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement with Paju Police Station, Paju Fire Station, and Yonsei Seoul Hospital on the 24th. Photo by Paju City

A psychiatric emergency refers to a situation where a psychiatric disorder acutely manifests or worsens, threatening the safety and health of the patient or others. In cases requiring emergency hospitalization, it is often difficult to secure a hospital bed quickly, resulting in long-distance transfers and wasted time.

Accordingly, the city strengthened cooperation among related organizations with the goal of operating a ‘psychiatric emergency public bed’ where psychiatric emergency patients can be admitted 24 hours a day to respond promptly to psychiatric emergencies.

Under the agreement, Paju City will manage the psychiatric emergency public beds and provide budget support. Paju Police Station will hospitalize those requiring emergency admission under the Mental Health Welfare Act, and Paju Fire Station will be responsible for on-site dispatch, emergency rescue, and transport support. Yonsei Seoul Hospital will operate the 24-hour psychiatric emergency public beds and provide psychiatric emergency treatment.

Paju City expects that this agreement will strengthen the community mental health safety net by providing immediate treatment to high-risk psychiatric emergency patients who pose risks such as self-harm or harm to others.

Mayor Kim Kyung-il of Paju City said, “Through this agreement, we have established a response system for psychiatric emergencies,” and added, “We will continue to work closely with related organizations to create an environment where citizens can live with peace of mind.”