Chief physician Joost Baert and head of psychiatry Marjolijn Bergoets. — © Jan Brys
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A psychiatric day center opened in the General Hospital where patients follow a six-week trajectory. The aim is to prevent or shorten an admission to the psychiatric ward.
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Since the foundation of Klina in 1987, there has been a psychiatric ward where patients are hospitalized. Today the occupancy there is at least 90 percent. We sometimes work with waiting lists. A psychiatric day hospital was now added to this. Both are very complementary.
Head of department Marjolijn Bergoets: “Often the step from the hospital home is still too big for patients. This day hospital can then be an intermediate step. They follow a six-week course. But this day hospital relieves the pressure of the department somewhat. The need for mental health institutions is increasing. GPs can now send their patients here.”
“After the six weeks in the day hospital, where the patients go home every evening. If necessary, follow-up care with psychologists and people from social services will follow. Flemish minister Wouter Beke has increased the budget for psychological counseling and we are delighted. Moreover, our operation is officially recognized by the Flemish government. We have a strong multidisciplinary team here and we work in groups of eight patients. It mainly concerns people with depression, anxiety disorders, panic attacks and dependency problems, so to speak. The therapy consists of verbal therapy, cooking therapy, dance and relaxation therapy and occupational therapy. The patients stay here from 8.30 am to 4 pm. We make clear agreements before we get started,” adds psychiatrist Marjolijn Bergoets. (jbr)
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