In addition to the common room, an outdoor sports field with a gym and a barbecue area were created at the provincial hospital, next to the children’s and young people’s ward. Above all, the facility’s functionality was improved with regard to epidemiological safety. All the tasks were made possible by the government programme “Investment support for child psychiatry wards in connection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus epidemic”.
– We managed to prepare this common room with funding – says Anna Dekarz, deputy director for administration and organisation. – Thanks to this, we will be able to create opportunities for patients to take part in occupational therapy. This is an important element of treatment which, in addition to pharmacological and therapeutic treatment, will help us prepare patients to return to their communities – the director says.
The Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship financed the project’s own contribution and the purchase of equipment for the completed facility. In total, the regional government contributed more than PLN 800,000.
– We want psychological support and psychiatric care in our voivodeship to be at the highest possible level. That is why we are investing in the Provincial Hospital for the Nervously and Mentally Ill in Bolesławiec, while also seeking EU funding for the construction of the Lower Silesian Mental Health Centre for Children and Young People in Lubin – Marshal Cezary Przybylski said at the opening.
The Deputy Marshal stressed how important it is to dispel the stigma surrounding places such as psychiatric hospitals and to change attitudes and perceptions of people with mental illnesses.
– The challenges facing mental healthcare make it necessary to improve infrastructure. The newly opened community common room at the Provincial Hospital for the Nervously and Mentally Ill meets these expectations. This is particularly important because it is consistent with the direction of changes being introduced in psychiatry, which involve developing community-based and day care aimed at reducing the need to hospitalise patients – added Marcin Krzyżanowski.
Any of us may experience a mental health crisis, which is why caring for our shared health and investing in a hospital for people with mental and nervous disorders is a priority for the county.
Director Jarosław Karbowski thanked the commune heads, the mayor and the Bolesławiec county head for their financial support.
– It is pleasing that the provincial authorities recognise Bolesławiec on the map of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship – said Mayor Piotr Roman at the opening. When we see such goodwill from the Marshal’s Office and comprehensive action at the hospital, it is easier to persuade councillors and commune councillors to co-finance the hospital. A few weeks ago, I visited the director and was greatly impressed by what has been changed here at the hospital. I used to be the head of the social council here and saw the enormous needs; it is the oldest hospital in the region, 150 years old. Until now, there had not been projects on the scale we have seen over these several months – the mayor added.
The Bolesławiec deputy county head offered his congratulations on the project in brief but very warm words.
– Patients who see the good conditions they have found themselves in are already halfway to recovery – Mirosław Horzempa said, congratulating the hospital team.
The primary aim of the completed investments is to improve the quality of assistance provided to children and young people whose health deteriorated in connection with the epidemic, the restrictions introduced and social changes.
The total cost of all the tasks was nearly PLN 1.5 million. The hospital financed a significant part of the project with support from the Ministry of Health amounting to more than PLN 1.2 million. A further more than PLN 200,000 came from a grant from the voivodeship budget.
The Provincial Hospital for the Nervously and Mentally Ill in Bolesławiec is an Independent Public Healthcare Institution. The facility is located in a historic park covering more than 9 hectares, with 17 historic buildings. The complex has more than 500 places for people requiring specialised and comprehensive care in mental health, addiction treatment and neurological or general rehabilitation. Over the past four years, the facility has received financial support exceeding PLN 6.3 million, of which PLN 4.3 million came from the budget of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.