Specialty Healthcare Provider, Health North, Remains Operational with Their Skilled Services
Just Can't Quit - North Health's Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology Remains Open Indefinitely
In a surprising turn of events, the Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology situated within Bremen-Mitte Hospital under North Health's umbrella won't be closing its doors just yet. Tuesday, Dr. Dorothea Dreizehnter, North Health's Medical and Infrastructure Manager, announced the continuation of the Institute's operations beyond the year 2025.
"The Institute has been crucial in maintaining a top-notch standard of care for families battling drug addiction," declared Dreizehnter. "We refuse to compromise this eminence. The recent transition to new processes has shown us just how complex this undertaking is. Hence, we've decided to prolong the Institute's indispensable services until all processes are securely regulated – possibly even beyond 2025."
Cost-Effectiveness vs Quality Care
Originally attached to Bremen-Mitte Hospital, the Institute primarily provides services for external clients, like the Bremen Youth Welfare Office, Bremen Police, and Bremen Public Prosecutor's Office. Being cost-ineffective, the institute's closure was agreed upon in September 2024 during the restructuring of the clinic network. Professor Bernd Mühlbauer, the Institute's director, was set to retire, thereby facilitating the shutdown.
The Institute's array of services involved urine and blood samples, occasionally hair samples, from drug-consuming parents and their children. Their offer encompassed intake management, secure sample collection, analytics, evaluations, specialist opinions, feedback, and consultations for the relevant authorities. Analytics, evaluations, feedback, and consultations have been passed on to a private laboratory; however, the laboratory of the Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology will cease operations by the week's end. Intake management and sample collection still require GeNo's assistance due to the new provider's inability to fully perform these tasks.
Continuity of Care
Senator for Social Affairs, Dr. Claudia Schilling, expressed her gratitude towards North Health for extending the Institute's operational period, "The Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, with its services developed over more than 20 years, plays a pivotal role in Bremen's child welfare system. I appreciate the management's decision to secure these exceptionally high standards in the city."
Dreizehnter emphasized, "We prioritize maintaining seamless care for families in need. Therefore, we will continue to provide intake management and sample collection until a new service provider can handle these processes without compromising quality." Close collaboration with a private laboratory is ongoing to achieve this aim.
"The Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology's extended operation beyond 2025 will ensure continued science-based solutions in health-and-wellness, specifically mental health, for families coping with drug addiction."
"The Institute's services, particularly in mental health, are integral to Bremen's child welfare system, and their continued operation by North Health ensures the maintenance of a high standard of care in this field."
