GGZ Drenthe opens a new Acute Care clinic in Assen today. The new building, like the old one, is located on Dennenweg. But that building no longer met the requirements set by GGZ Drenthe.
There will not be more beds in the new clinic. “We had room for 42 in the old building, and that is the same now,” says Ronald Heukels, manager of the clinic. “The design of the new clinic is mainly aimed at ensuring that people in acute psychiatric distress recover as quickly as possible.” They therefore have more privacy in the new building. “The patients get spacious rooms with a view of the greenery. They also have their own sanitary facilities, which was not the case in the old building,” says Heukels.
Someone can be admitted to the clinic if crisis care at home is not sufficient. The GP will then refer you to the clinic in Assen. “People who come here are really having a hard time. For example, they are suicidal, have delusions or they hear voices. In any case, they are a danger to themselves and/or to those around them.”
The new building has four wings, from high care to intensive care. “Patients can now move from one department to another within the clinic if more or less intensive care is needed. In the old situation there were two different buildings. That was far from ideal.”
There are common areas, such as a living room and patio. The wings open onto a shared courtyard. “But there are also spaces for patients who need more privacy.” The treatment team makes agreements with the patient and relatives about what is needed and what the patient can and wants to regain control over his or her own functioning.
This afternoon the new mental health clinic was officially opened by Asser mayor Marco Out. But the actual move won’t take place until next Tuesday. “We discuss everything with our patients about two days before the move. They can decide for themselves whether they come to the new building with two supervisors, or with the psycholance, for example.”
The old building, which is located near the new clinic, will be demolished. “I hope it will be gone before the end of the summer. There will be a nice lawn there. We will also plant trees there to compensate for what we had to cut down at the new location,” Heukels concludes.