INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

The Regional Mental Health Hospital in Świecie, one of the oldest psychiatric treatment centres in Poland, is celebrating its 170th anniversary. Marshal Piotr Całbecki took part in the hospital’s anniversary celebrations today (5 September). Located in a historic 19th-century complex, the facility will soon be expanded to include a mental health centre and a horticultural therapy centre. The investment, worth over PLN 35 million, is one of the largest in the hospital’s history.

 

“The 170 years of the Regional Mental Health Hospital represent 170 years of human history and changes that have taken place in Polish psychiatry during that time. In line with contemporary medical knowledge and accepted standards of practice, we are moving away from treatment based mainly on isolation and hospitalisation (associated with the stigmatisation of patients) in favour of community psychiatry. And it is precisely this goal – accessible modern psychiatric care – that guides the local clinic, said Marshal Piotr Całbecki in his speech. “I would like to thank Director Dariusz Rutkowski, as well as the doctors, nurses, therapists and other members of staff for their commitment and dedication in setting an example of how to transform such facilities and implement modern therapeutic standards. Today is your celebration, you are the ones who are creating the history and bright future of this hospital!

Today’s ceremony was also attended by Marek Wojtkowski, member of the regional board, Przemysław Sznajdrowski, deputy chairman of the provincial council, Tadeusz Pogoda, provincial councillor, Marek Smoczyk, provincial secretary, Iwona Karolewska, Member of Parliament, Świecie County Administrator Paweł Knapik, and Świecie Mayor Krzysztof Kułakowski.

 

The new investment will implement the idea of modern community psychiatry. The facility will be based in unused or previously technical pavilions in the centre of the treatment complex. The buildings already have load-bearing and external walls, and the construction of the entrance staircases has been completed. The contractor is replacing the ceilings and adjusting them to a uniform level, and maintenance work on the façade is also underway. Work has also begun on the installation of the lift shaft. After a major renovation, the building will house a day psychiatric ward and a community care ward. The modern and functionally planned space will include clinics, doctors’ offices, relaxation and therapy rooms, a dental office and an entire wing dedicated to medical training. The project also includes the construction of an internal brine graduation tower. The contractor for the project is Husaria Development from Gdańsk. The value of this part of the investment is PLN 19 million, of which over PLN 16 million comes from European Funds for Kujawsko-Pomorskie 2021-2027.

As part of the same project, extensive modernisation work is being carried out in the building, which will serve as administrative facilities and archives – the roof has been replaced and the lift frame has been erected. Due to the historical nature of the building, care has been taken to preserve the original woodwork and brick fragments of the façade, which have been restored. Installation work is also underway.

 

In the therapeutic building, used for art therapy and horticultural therapy, i.e. occupational therapy based on gardening, installation work is continuing. It will house gardening workshops, painting studios, a modern art studio, a winter garden and a seasonal garden. The green spaces, covering nearly 1 hectare, will also undergo revitalisation. The contractor for this part of the investment (worth PLN 16 million, with co-financing from the EFKP of over PLN 11 million) is the Prof-Bud consortium from Świecie.

 

Other planned investments include the construction of a psychiatric care and treatment facility (estimated cost PLN 23 million), a sports hall with a gym (cost PLN 17 million) and training flats (PLN 11 million).

 

The children’s ward of the hospital also underwent a major renovation last year. After the modernisation, it has become a child-friendly space with relaxation, therapy and music rooms, school facilities, modern equipment and a warm interior design.

A secular hospital treats patients with mental disorders and addictions. The facility has 480 beds in 16 inpatient wards. It also has an addiction treatment clinic, including for psychoactive substances: opiates (heroin, morphine, methadone, fentanyl, codeine, tramal), amphetamines, designer drugs, sleeping pills and other psychostimulants, offering psychotherapy (for addicts, co-addicts and the addicts’ loved ones).

 

The comprehensive modernisation of the facility, which has been carried out systematically for many years (successively all pavilions, kitchen, hospital networks, administrative and technical buildings, energy modernisation, purchase of equipment and furnishings), was financed by our regional programmes from previous perspectives and our medical package of the century, i.e. the Marshal’s programme for the modernisation of all provincial medical facilities.

On the occasion of the anniversary, a volume of poetry entitled Wielogłosy (Many Voices) was published, a collection of poems written by patients and hospital staff.

 

Regional Mental Health Hospital in Świecie:

• over 16 hectares of land
• 53 buildings
• 53 buildings
• 480 beds
• 16 wards
• 520 employees
• mental health centre – cost PLN 19 million, over PLN 16 million from the EU
• horticultural therapy centre – cost nearly PLN 16 million, over PLN 11 million from the EU

 

Beata Krzemińska

spokesperson for the Marshal’s Office

 

4 September 2025

Last update: 5 September 2025