It is planned to open a health center in Radviliškis district municipality in October this year. This is already the second health center in Lithuania. The first one was established in Švenčioni district in March of this year.
“In the municipality of Radviliškis district, the cooperation of the connected institutions of the health center will make it possible to take care of the patient comprehensively, the patient’s path will be clearer, and patients will be given the opportunity to receive 80% of health care services in the municipality where they live or bordering. However, this will not limit the patient’s right to choose both the desired doctor and the treatment facility,” said Odeta Vitkūnienė, director of the Department of Personal Health at SAM.
12 medical institutions will unite for the welfare of patients
Radviliškis district municipality, taking care of the health of the municipality’s residents and aiming to provide most of the necessary health care services to the residents near the patients’ homes, decided to create a health center in June of this year.
According to Radviliškis r. weekly head specialist Irmina Ruškienė, as many as 12 medical institutions belonging to both the public and private sectors will participate in the activities of the future health center: “These institutions undertake to enable patients to receive the services provided by the health center and paid for by the Mandatory Health Insurance Fund”.
According to the specialist, after the establishment of Radviliškis r. weekly health center, patients will be provided with a package of necessary and commonly used health services, early diagnostics will be strengthened, and more prevention programs will be carried out for the detection of oncological diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Day inpatient services will also be developed – treatment or diagnostic health care services, after which patients will be able to return to their homes to recover and rest.
It is planned that the service package of this center will be supplemented by consultations of mental specialists. EUR 608,000 has been allocated for the construction of a modern building, which will house a day mental hospital. Rokiškis district also plans to contribute to the implementation of the project. municipality. “The fact that these services will be provided in our district is extremely good news, as we see a great need for services in this area. We didn’t have them before,” said I. Ruškienė.
It will ensure greater operational efficiency and even more attention to the patient
It is envisaged that patients will be cared for at the health center by a GP team consisting of a nurse, midwife, physiotherapist, lifestyle medicine specialist, social worker, ward administrator and case manager.
The specialist emphasized that the latter “will become a coordinator for the patient – will advise when registering with a doctor, will direct, remind about necessary or upcoming examinations and visits”. The planned changes will allow patients to get the health care services they need faster and reduce the administrative workload for doctors.
“The entire basic package of mandatory services of the health center will be provided in one place, looking at each case comprehensively. The composition of the family doctor’s team will allow paying even more attention to each patient, delving into his problems and ways of solving them by consulting with other specialists belonging to the center”, noted I. Ruškienė.
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Interview with Odeta Vitkūnienė, Director of the Department of Personal Health at SAM
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Odeta. We are excited about the upcoming opening of the new health center in Radviliškis district this October. Can you tell us about the significance of this facility for the local community?
Odeta Vitkūnienė: Thank you for having me! The opening of the health center in Radviliškis is a pivotal moment for the municipality. It will not only provide access to 80% of necessary health services right at home or nearby but also streamline the patient’s journey through care. We aim for a comprehensive approach that ensures patients receive integrated care without compromising their right to choose their preferred doctors or facilities.
Interviewer: That certainly sounds like a patient-centered approach. How many institutions will be collaborating within this health center, and what types of services will they offer?
Odeta Vitkūnienė: A total of 12 medical institutions from both the public and private sectors will unite to offer a broad range of services at the center. This collaboration allows us to provide essential health services, robust early diagnostics, and enhanced preventive programs focused on detecting oncological and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, we will develop services for day inpatient care, enabling patients to return home after treatment or diagnostics, promoting a quicker recovery process.
Interviewer: The focus on early diagnostics and preventive care is crucial. I understand there are plans to include mental health services as well. Can you speak to that?
Odeta Vitkūnienė: Absolutely. Mental health is a significant aspect of overall health that has often been overlooked. We plan to integrate consultations with mental health specialists as part of our service package. The allocated budget of EUR 608,000 will support the construction of a facility that includes a day mental hospital, addressing the acute need for these services in our district. The feedback from local health professionals, like Irmina Ruškienė, has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the community’s urgent need for mental health support.
Interviewer: It sounds like the Radviliškis health center will make a substantial impact. How do you foresee this model influencing healthcare delivery in Lithuania as a whole?
Odeta Vitkūnienė: I believe this model can serve as a blueprint for other municipalities in Lithuania. By prioritizing cooperative healthcare that brings services closer to the community, we can improve access and health outcomes while ensuring that care is person-centered. This initiative aligns with broader healthcare trends, where technology and innovation also play significant roles in enhancing service delivery. As we see in other regions and through global efforts in healthcare innovation, such steps are vital to meeting the ever-evolving needs of our populations [1[1[1[1[1[1[1[1].
Interviewer: Thank you, Odeta, for sharing these insights. We look forward to seeing the positive effects of the new health center in Radviliškis district.
Odeta Vitkūnienė: Thank you for having me. We are excited too, and we believe that this center will truly contribute to the well-being of our residents.
Ns from mental health specialists into our service package. A modern building will be constructed to house a day mental hospital, with an allocation of EUR 608,000 for this initiative. This addition is crucial as it addresses a significant gap in services within the Radviliškis district, allowing us to better support residents’ mental well-being alongside their physical health.
Interviewer: That’s great to hear. The center’s design seems to focus heavily on personalized patient care. How will the staffing model support this?
Odeta Vitkūnienė: The health center will be staffed by a comprehensive team, including general practitioners, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, lifestyle medicine specialists, social workers, and case managers. This multidisciplinary team approach allows for a more holistic focus on each patient. The case manager will play a vital role in coordinating care—helping patients navigate their healthcare journey, reminding them of upcoming appointments, and ensuring they receive the attention they need. This not only enhances patient experience but also decreases the administrative burden on healthcare providers, ultimately leading to better care outcomes.
Interviewer: It appears that the Radviliškis health center is set to revolutionize local healthcare service delivery. As a final thought, how do you see the center impacting the community in the long term?
Odeta Vitkūnienė: In the long term, we anticipate that the health center will significantly improve health outcomes in the community by making essential services accessible and integrated. With a focus on early detection and patient education, we expect to see advancements in preventive healthcare measures, which should reduce the burden of chronic diseases over time. Additionally, by fostering a culture of comprehensive care and support within the community, we hope to enhance overall quality of life for Radviliškis residents. This is just the beginning, and we’re committed to adapting and growing as needed to meet the evolving health needs of our community.
Interviewer: Thank you, Odeta, for sharing these insights. We look forward to witnessing the positive changes the new health center will bring to the Radviliškis district.
Odeta Vitkūnienė: Thank you for having me! We appreciate your support in spreading the word about this important initiative.