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Development Activities

The project “Establishment of Tervikum, a Cooperative Organization for Healthcare (including Health Promotion) and Social Services, in Viljandi County” is aimed at developing and implementing a coordination model for a people-centered social and health care system in the county. As part of the project, a county-wide cooperation network will be established and developed to bring together social and health care service providers, with the goal of ensuring comprehensive, consistent, and coordinated assistance for residents.

Objective

The objective of the project is to expand and formalize the existing cooperation network and improve the coordination between social and health care services. This will ensure timely and needs-based assistance, support people’s ability to live independently, and reduce the burden of care on family members.

Outcome

As a result of the project, a functional Tervikum cooperation model will be established in Viljandi County, within the framework of which:

  • the availability and quality of services will improve;
  • cross-sectoral cooperation and the flow of information will increase;
  • a seamless patient journey will be ensured, including the transition from the hospital to home;
  • the need for emergency hospital care and round-the-clock care will be reduced;
  • preventive measures will be strengthened, and people’s ability to cope in their home environment will be supported.

Grant Amount

The total cost of the project is 235,589.84 euros.

https://www.sm.ee/tervise-ja-sotsiaal-valdkonna-loimimine/valdkondade-uuendamine/tervise-ja-sotsiaalsusteemi/valdkondade-uuendamine/tervise-ja-sotsiaalsuste

The project “360 Degrees—Promoting Safety and Awareness to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children and Youth,” which is funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Viljandi Hospital Foundation, and the Estonian Sexual Health Association within the framework of the Ministry of Social Affairs’ strategic partnership from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026.

Project Implementer: Viljandi Hospital Foundation
Project Partner: Estonian Sexual Health Association
Measure: RES.7.3 State Budget Grants (formerly gambling tax grants)
Application round: Program for Promoting Children’s Rights and Participation (Support for Non-Governmental Organizations in the Social and Health Sectors 2024) – November 16, 2024–December 16, 2024
Grant Amount Requested: €248,442.50
Grant Rate: 66.40%
Self-Financing: 33.60%
Project period: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2026 (2 years)

The goal of the project is to establish a Center of Excellence for Sexual Behavior in Estonia, which would ensure sustainable and high-quality services for individuals with sexual behavior disorders and would work to raise awareness among children, parents, teachers, and other professionals regarding sexual misconduct. The center will enable the provision of systematic assessment, counseling, and treatment services tailored to the needs of the target group, thereby reducing the recurrence of sexual offenses and improving people’s quality of life. In addition, the center facilitates broader prevention, research, and development activities, as well as training opportunities for specialists in the field and for the target groups of the application round (children, parents, and professionals working with children). The center serves target groups ranging from anonymous walk-in patients to individuals subject to court-ordered treatment and those released from prison.

As a result of the project:

  • Establishment of the Center of Excellence for Sexual Behavior: The center ensures sustainable, high-quality assessment, treatment, and counseling services for individuals with sexual behavior disorders, helping to reduce the recurrence of sexual offenses and improve quality of life.
  • Activities of www.piirid.ee: Through the website, 400 questions have been answered, and sustainable, low-threshold counseling has been provided to people with sexual behavior problems.
  • Improving Access to Counseling Services: In collaboration with expert members, an opportunity has arisen to pilot counseling services in at least three regions of Estonia (at TTOs) for individuals with disruptive sexual behavior and the specialists working with them (including online counseling). The necessary training and supervision are provided to these specialists.
  • Training for Specialists: As part of the project, continuing education for sexual counselors and other training sessions compliant with international standards (NACS criteria) have been organized to enhance professionals’ competence and capacity to work in this field.
  • Training for Children and Target Groups: Training sessions have been organized for children, parents, professionals working with children, and teachers, focusing on risk prevention and ensuring safety, including safe internet use.
  • Raising Awareness: Target groups’ awareness has improved regarding the risks and opportunities associated with children’s internet use, including the prevention of online child sexual abuse.

Additional information: Aneth Tuurmaa (project manager, aneth.tuurmaa@viljandihaigla.ee) and on the website www.piirid.ee

The “Establishment of Tervikum” project, funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Plan for Estonia.

The “Establishing Tervikum” project, funded by the European Union’s Estonia Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The project’s goal is to make healthcare and social services provided in the Viljandi Hospital service area more accessible and, through the provision of integrated services, to make the treatmentand care processes more consistent, ensuring that residents with health and social issues can cope as independently as possible in their living environment and remain employed or, if possible, return to employment.

To achieve the project’s objective, a new and modern general hospital will be established in downtown Viljandi, at C. R. Jakobsoni 2a/2c and Turu 6, a new and modern general hospital networked with a primary care health center, ensuring patient-centered collaboration between primary care, specialized medical care, and social services. Within the same infrastructure as primary care, the following services will be established: outpatient specialty care (including laboratory, radiological, and functional diagnostics; an emergency medicine department; specialty physician consultations; and rehabilitation), inpatient specialty care and day care (including intensive care, operating rooms, day care, surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, internal medicine, and independent nursing care), as well as the facilities (including social counseling and social transportation, home care services, etc.).

The total cost of the Tervikum project is estimated at 104 million euros, of which 72 million euros will come from European Union funding under the recovery plan. The remaining 32 million will be divided between the hospital’s own funding and other grants.
Previously, the construction of Tervikum was supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the Ministry of Social Affairs through the “Modernization of Health Centers” initiative; with the new decision, the entire previous project was transferred to funding under the recovery plan.

The project “180 Degrees—New Directions in Supporting Children’s Mental Health, Preventing Abuse, and Building Networks,” which is funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Viljandi Hospital Foundation, and the Estonian Sexual Health Association within the framework of the Ministry of Social Affairs’ strategic partnership from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024.

Project Implementer: Viljandi Hospital Foundation
Project partner: Estonian Sexual Health Association
Call for proposals: Financial support for promoting children’s well-being, rights, and inclusion – September 26, 2022–October 31, 2022
Budget: €202,000.00
Grant requested: €199,980.00
Grant rate: 99%
Self-financing: 1%
Project period: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2024 (2 years)

Project objective is to raise awareness of mental health among children and adolescents and, through networking, to empower healthcare teams and the community to collaborate in preventing mental health problems and abuse among children (including assisting potential abusers) and to promote children’s well-being.

Project Thematic Areas:

Theme 1 (prevention of abuse). Theme 1 leader Margus Veem in collaboration with the Estonian Sexual Health Association.

  • Sexual counselors have been trained and a website has been created (as part of the Estonian Sexual Health Association’s website) that offers support (anonymous individual online counseling) to people who have sexual or romantic interest in children and to professionals working with this target group.
  • A study has been conducted to identify gaps in network members’ knowledge regarding sexual (inappropriate) behavior and sexual abuse of children (and by children).
  • Awareness-raising activities have been carried out to introduce the website and its subject matter to the public.
  • The groundwork has been laid for a study to assess the effectiveness of the intervention following the project period.
  • Continuing education programs for psychiatrists and psychologists (including internships, international conferences, and training courses) abroad in the field of sexual misconduct and its treatment have been planned.

Topic 2 (Networking). Topic 2 Lead: Kairi Nool. Partner: Viljandi City Government.

  • Networking meetings have been conducted by a multidisciplinary team (the treatment team in collaboration with local government specialists working with children and community members), which have identified ways to support children who have been mentally or sexually abused.
  • The groundwork has been laid for a study to develop a networking strategy, which will identify the key principles for assisting children who have been emotionally or sexually abused, with the aim of preventing the recurrence of such cases.

Contact: Ülle Kumm, Project Manager (tel +372 5919 0150, email ylle.kumm[at]viljandihaigla.ee).

The project “Development of an Assessment and Treatment System for Patients with Chronic Mental Health Problems,” implemented by Viljandi Hospital and supported by the 2014–2021 Norwegian Grants program “Local Development and Poverty Reduction,” the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Viljandi Hospital Foundation.
General Information

General Information

Project implementation period: January 7, 2021 – January 6, 2024
Program Operator: Ministry of Social Affairs
Implementing Agency: State Support Services Center
Project Implementer: Viljandi Hospital Foundation
Project Budget: €376,470

Project Objective

The goal of developing an assessment and treatment system for people with chronic mental health problems undergoing involuntary psychiatric treatment is to create a comprehensive service that integrates outpatient and inpatient involuntary treatment with community-based services. These services will foster standardized cooperation and communication among service providers in the social welfare, health, and legal systems to ensure appropriate care for people with chronic mental health problems, the protection of their fundamental rights, and public safety.

Project Results

As a result of developing a system for the assessment and treatment of patients with chronic mental health problems, cross-sectoral community services will be created for people with chronic mental health problems who are undergoing involuntary psychiatric treatment.

Project Target Groups
Direct Target Groups

  • Individuals subject to compulsory treatment
  • Family members of individuals in compulsory treatment
  • Provider of psychiatric compulsory treatment – Viljandi Hospital Foundation
  • Local government social and child protection workers

Indirect target groups

  • Healthcare professionals working at primary care centers
  • County-level outpatient psychiatric care provider serving the patient’s place of residence
  • Community police officer
  • Probation officers
  • Social Insurance Board

Descriptions of Activities to Achieve Outcomes

  • Activity 1 – Development and implementation of a model and treatment guidelines for outpatient psychiatric compulsory treatment services provided by a multidisciplinary team based on the needs of individuals with chronic mental health problems. Responsible project team member: Ülle Kumm
  • Activity 2 – Training multidisciplinary teams, local government social workers, and family members of people with chronic mental health problems to support individuals with chronic mental health problems.
  • Project team member in charge: Signe Susi
  • Activity 3 – Developing and implementing a multidisciplinary forensic psychiatric assessment panel model for people with chronic mental health problems in the context of involuntary psychiatric treatment.
  • Project team member in charge: Madis Parksepp
  • Activity 4 – Preparing for the adaptation process of instruments for assessing the risk of (repeated) violent behavior. Responsible project team member: Margus Veem.

As a result of the project:

  • A service model and treatment guidelines for outpatient involuntary psychiatric treatment have been developed;
  • A vehicle (bus) has been purchased and equipped to enable a mobile multidisciplinary team to conduct home visits and appointments for outpatient psychiatric involuntary treatment.
  • The implementation of the outpatient compulsory psychiatric treatment service by a multidisciplinary team has been piloted for at least 10 patients subject to compulsory treatment who reside in various regions of Estonia.
  • Knowledge of modern and person-centered counseling techniques (both individually and in groups), as well as the ability to counsel and support people with chronic mental health problems and their loved ones, applying what has been learned in everyday work situations.
  • Multidisciplinary teamwork has been established to support people with chronic mental health problems during and after their stay in involuntary psychiatric treatment.
  • A model for a multidisciplinary forensic psychiatric assessment panel has been developed, and periodic assessments are being conducted for people with chronic mental health issues undergoing involuntary psychiatric treatment to ensure the protection of their fundamental rightsand public safety.
  • The process of adapting six scales for assessing the risk of aggressive behavior and one scale for mapping symptoms characteristic of psychotic disorders has begun, and preparations have been made for the validationprocess to adapt these assessment tools to the local linguistic and cultural context.

The objective of the “Viljandi Hospital Primary Care Center” project is to construct a hospital building at C. R. Jakobsoni 2a/2c, Turu 6, for the provision of healthcare services. Among other services, the new facility will offer primary care services, including family physicians and nurses, midwives, physical therapists, home care nurses, specialist care, and diagnostic services. The new healthcare center will improve residents’ access to primary healthcare services and make it more convenient and faster for patients to navigate the various stages of medical care.

The project’s eligible budget is 2,562,266.95 euros, of which the ERDF grant amounts to 1,921,700 euros. The project’s eligibility period is September 1, 2015–August 31, 2023.

The goal of the project “Construction of a modern general hospital networked with primary care to establish a county health center” is to establish a modern, county health center and hospital based on collaboration among service providers, where primary care, specialty care, and social services are provided in a coordinated manner based on the individual’s holistic needs. People will be guaranteed convenient and logical access to services, as well as a smooth and consistent transition between different services. Emphasis is placed on encouraging individuals to take informed responsibility for their own health by equipping the community with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to do so. The project’s eligible budget is 47,337,733.06 euros, of which the ERDF grant amounts to 35,503,299.79 euros. The project’s eligibility period is January 1, 2018–December 31, 2023

The project “Construction of a Solar Park at the Viljandi Hospital Annex” aims to improve the provision of round-the-clock general care services outside the home by adopting modern technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a result of the project’s activities, solar panels have been installed.
The project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and is being financed with 100,000 euros as part of the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The project “SA Viljandi Hospital’s COVID-19 Crisis Preparedness and Investments in the Sustainability of the Hospital Network” is supported with 416,682 euros under the measure “Organizing Preparedness for Healthcare Emergencies in Hospitals Specified in the Hospital Network Plan” through an open call for proposals. The project is funded as part of the Union’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project’s objective is to reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission among patients at the Jämejala Mental Health Village. To this end, two isolation rooms will be established in the compulsory treatment ward to limit the spread of COVID-19, including the renovation of the ventilation system and the creation of oxygen therapy capabilities, and two isolation rooms will be established in the general care ward, including the establishment of oxygen therapy capabilities.

The goal of the project “Procurement of COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccination Supplies, Organization of Vaccination, COVID-19 RT-PCR Testing, and Expansion of the National Health Reserve” is to support investments made in the procurement of-19 and the supplies needed to organize vaccination, as well as for carrying out vaccinations (including kitting, warehousing and transportation services, outreach activities and training, payment for vaccination services, and the establishment of temporary vaccination centers, communication, and ICT developments), for COVID-19 testing (costs related to specimen collection and analysis, equipment), and to ensure a one-month supply of medicines (including medical supplies) from the national health reserve (for some medicines, a two-month supply has been allocated due to potential supply difficulties). Should the need for booster shots arise, support will be provided for the booster vaccination of healthcare facility staff, social care facility staff and residents, and all individuals belonging to at-risk groups.

The total project budget is 52,290,719.59, of which Viljandi Hospital’s share is 318,033 euros. With support from the project, Viljandi Hospital will acquire a new mobile unit in which vaccinations will be administered.

The project is funded as part of the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Viljandi Hospital is participating in the cluster’s development project “Development of Clinical Speech Therapy Content for Rehabilitation and the Piloting and Validation of Telelogopedics”

Viljandi Hospital Foundation is a partner of the Estonian Connected Health cluster and has been participating since August 2021 in the cluster’s development project “Development of Clinical Speech-Language Pathology Content for Rehabilitation and the Piloting and Validation of Telelogopedics.”

The Estonian Connected Health Cluster (ECHC) is a community of various health-related stakeholders in Estonia whose common goal is to apply technologies to provide even better health-related products and services.

The ECHC is part of the European Connected Health Alliance and the ScanBalt network.

The cluster’s objectives:

  • to contribute to the promotion of a healthier lifestyle and better healthcare services
  • to support economic growth by encouraging the adoption of new healthcare services
  • to accelerate access to new markets for Estonian companies in the health sector

More information is available on the ECHC website

The lead partner of the development project “Content Creation for Clinical Speech-Language Pathology in Rehabilitation and the Piloting and Validation of Telerehabilitation” is Cognus OÜ, with partners including Viljandi Hospital Foundation and Haapsalu Neurological Rehabilitation Center Foundation.

Our contribution to the project primarily involves analyzing the content and needs of clinical speech-language pathology, as well as validating the content and communication solutions developed during the project.

The project will run until March 2022..2022.