How Law 180 in Italy has reshaped psychiatry after 30 years: past attitudes, current trends and unmet needs

Law 180 eliminated psychiatric hospitals for the care of people with chronic psychosis in Italy. After 30 years, we review the consequences for the practice of psychiatry in Italy and parallels for England and Wales. We argue that the substitution of legal/political direction for clinical leadership means psychiatrists may cease to merit the privileges and responsibilities of being doctors.