Questions have been asked in the municipal councils of Emmen, Midden-Drenthe and Hoogeveen about the imminent closure of the work-learning projects of Daat-Drenthe of GGZ Drenthe. Concerned council members fear that the 400 clients with psychiatric problems, among other things, will become isolated if the day care companies disappear.
According to the board of directors of GGZ Drenthe, closure is inevitable. “In recent years, we have worked hard to develop Daat-Drenthe”, the management said via a spokesperson. “Unfortunately, this has not led to a financially healthy organization. There is too little income, too high costs, falling participant numbers and too low rates in the Social Support Act.”
It concerns eight locations, including thrift store Het Goed in Hoogeveen, the Graphic Center in Assen, Bikeshop and EPH Saunabouw in Emmen, and frame maker De Korf Drenthe in Beilen. The board of directors of GGZ Drenthe does not want to say how much loss is suffered. “We do not make any announcements about the details of the financial situation within Daat-Drenthe.”
The management does want to say that the negative financial results have an impact on the rest of GGZ Drenthe, for example because this means there is less room to make new investments.
‘Does not fit with new direction GGZ Drenthe’
The expectation is that the work-learning companies and the daytime activities of Daat-Drenthe will remain unprofitable, says the board of directors. “Daat-Drenthe also no longer fits in well with the strategic course of GGZ Drenthe, which focuses on restorative care for people with serious psychiatric problems. Extra support from the municipality or an increase in the Wmo allowance will not change this, according to the spokesperson for the management. “Even if the rates and the number of participants were to increase, we will not continue these activities in the current manner.”
For the participants, according to the spokesperson, this means that the activities will continue, but in many cases will be transferred to another organization and sometimes at a different location. ,,Continuity and stability for the participants is paramount, we find that very important. We are holding talks with parties whose core activity is learning in combination with work and daytime activities via the Social Support Act. We inform municipalities with which we have contracts about the progress.”
Hard message
Although GGZ Drenthe emphasizes that the formal decision has yet to be made, they do not ignore the fact that there is no future for the projects of Daat-Drenthe. A hard message for the 400 participants and their 45 supervisors who have to look for another job within GGZ Drenthe. A large group of participants is campaigning against the closure. Despite the support of council factions and the more than 1000 signatures they have collected, the actions seem pointless.
According to the spokesperson, the many reactions show the great involvement of the participants of Daat-Drenthe. ,,We have informed both employees and participants from an early stage that they may be faced with the consequences of the organizational change. We understand that this affects them a lot.”
The management of GGZ Drenthe emphasizes that a suitable, alternative place is being sought for everyone.
Hopeful
Alderman Jan Broekema (SP) of Assen and Alderman Dennis Bouwman (PvdA) of Central Drenthe also spoke with the management on behalf of the Association of Drenthe Municipalities on Friday. ,,In a constructive conversation we insisted on stability and a smooth transition for the participants and supervisors at Daat-Drenthe. We have been promised that GGZ Drenthe will ensure that the daytime activities are transferred to other healthcare providers. We prefer that they remain at their current locations. The management of GGZ could not promise whether that would be possible in all cases.”
Bouwman says he is hopeful that a good solution will be found for all participants. “It has been agreed with GGZ Drenthe that we will talk to each other again in the new year.”