A Safe Place for Extraordinary Lives
context
The UPDM, a unit within the Geneva University Hospitals, cares for adults with complex neurodevelopmental disorders, often associated with intellectual disabilities, autism, or other psychiatric and physical conditions. These patients require constant attention and highly specialized care, tailored to their sensitivities and ways of communicating. Calming a crisis in a non-verbal person, administering treatment to someone who fears physical contact, or helping a highly sensitive individual undergo a medical exam are daily challenges. The teams dedicate themselves to these tasks with patience, commitment, and humanity. However, the current facilities no longer fully meet the safety, comfort, and dignity needs of these vulnerable individuals. The rooms and living spaces are not always adapted to their sensory or behavioral requirements, which can make care more difficult and be a source of concern for families.
Project
The UPDM renovation aims to provide every patient with an environment that is both safe, calming, and therapeutic. The project will create rooms adapted to each individual’s specific needs: secure, flexible, and designed to minimize unwanted stimuli while promoting autonomy. Each sub-unit will have direct access to the outdoors, avoiding stressful movements and preserving tranquility. Dedicated spaces for rehabilitation, sensory stimulation, and relaxation will complement the new layout. Healthcare professionals will have offices and assessment rooms nearby, ensuring attentive and responsive care. More than a modernization, this renovation is a commitment: to provide care in a secure, dignified, and adapted environment where every person can be welcomed under the best possible conditions.
Project Managers
Dr. Markus Kosel, Associate Attending Physician, Unit Head, Psychiatric Specialties Service, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, and Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva
Ms. Verena Marini, Deputy Head of Nursing, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals
Dr. Dimitri Lambert, Associate Physician, Psychiatric Specialties Service, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals
