Cadillac: What is the new medical and psychiatric unit used for?

25 route de Branne, in Cadillac (Gironde), the blue house welcomes the latest care unit: a forensic-psychological unit. It brings together a nurse, a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a secretary.

Funded in 2022 by the Regional Health Agency (ARS), this unit of the Cadillac psychiatric hospital works with the Charles Perrens hospital center and the Libourne hospital center.

Patients cared for within the walls of l’UMPJ they are not closed. They continue their lives, in complete freedom, with medical monitoring ordered by a judge. He either orders maintenance orders or maintenance obligations.

Patients in general

For example, in a matter of domestic violence, criminals can have a treatment or psychiatric monitoring as requested by the court.

“The first appointment is made by two specialists to look at the person twice, then the follow-up is given to the patient,” he explains. Diane Poulain, health executive in UMPJ. It was important to have buildings outside the walls of the hospital because here it doesn’t say “mental hospital” everywhere. It is not a stigma. Many people who come do not know that they have this need, so this location, apart from the hospital, is ideal. »

The patients come from the South Gironde, but also from the Bordeaux region. Some consultations are offered in Bordeaux for people who cannot travel to Cadillac. “It is a unique service that is not standardized, there are experiences elsewhere that are similar to this category, but not here in the Gironde”, he continues. Florence Ithier, responsible for coordinating projects at the Cadillac hospital center. Before these units, people were cared for by the CMP (psychological treatment center), but this was not very effective.

Limited time support

In other words, this judicial obligation has no limitation. At the end of treatment, it is rare for care to continue without the patient’s consent: “It is voluntary. We can’t do anything if the person doesn’t want to. As part of a care order, we can alert the judge to the need for additional care, but this is very rare,” he explains. Jennifer Millington, psychologist.

So, the goal is clear: must excellent support in a short time pour to avoid of possibility repeat.

Open every Thursday, the Cadillac division hopes to expand its services and grow its team in the future. In its first year, in 2023, it helped 79 patients at the Cadillac branch and provided 266 consultations. The three branches followed 432 patients throughout the year. The existing team “hopes to be able to do even better, with more professionals and open more days a week” for this new year.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.