Forensische High & Intensive Care

This project focusses on the development of Forensic High & Intensive Care (FHIC). Forensic patients in a crisis can be admitted temporarily to an FHIC department. Because they are temporarily seriously overburdened and incapable of dealing with things, they can no longer stay at a regular treatment department or their own living arrangements. To prevent further relapse, disruption of the (treatment) environment and criminal recidivism, the care is temporarily scaled up, and the patient is admitted to the FHIC. 

The rationale behind the development of FHIC is that health care should never be more intensive or locked in than necessary.  A systematic assessment of the situation and potential danger, as well as the fact that more intensive care is always within reach, means that patients can continue to receive outpatient - or less intensive - support for a longer period.

The project started in 2015 with several expert meetings, where input was collected from all relevant parties: forensic care (outpatient, clinical and RIBW) and the regular intensive mental health care, experience experts and referrers. Based on this, an overall vision was formulated, and the FHIC workbook was completed. The second phase was a pilot with nine institutions who started a FHIC department. Parallel to this, the VUmc is researching the method and results. At this point nineteen institutions have joined and the method is widely used and appreciated.

Role of the EFP

The EFP supports the parties that implement this project.