The Voivodeship Rehabilitation Hospital for Children in Ameryka, near Olsztyn, Poland, specializes in rehabilitation, allergy diagnosis and treatment, and mental health care for children and adolescents. It is one of the largest and most modern facilities of its kind in Poland. The hospital provides inpatient care in four departments: Rehabilitation I, Paediatric Allergology, Rehabilitation II (for children staying with caregivers), and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Patients are also treated on a day-patient basis at the Day Rehabilitation Unit. Additionally, orthopedic procedures are performed at the Day Surgery Unit. The hospital also has specialist outpatient clinics for Allergology, Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, Speech Therapy, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, and Child and Adolescent Addiction Treatment. Foreign patients who are not insured in Poland can use the above services by paying for them according to the hospital price list.
The Paediatric Allergology Department provides inpatient diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases and respiratory conditions. In the field of allergies, the department offers a wide range of diagnostic tests that are performed during short hospital stays lasting from one to several days. Diagnostic tests include: skin prick tests with inhalant and food allergens, patch tests with chemical allergens, prick-to-prick tests with fresh allergens, allergen challenge tests (inhalation and food challenges), blood tests such as total IgE, specific IgE, allergen panels, and molecular allergy diagnostics (sIgE), assessment of eosinophils in blood, the nasal mucosa and the gastrointestinal tract. Respiratory function tests are also performed, such as spirometry, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (ergospirometry), impulse oscillometry, acoustic rhinometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurement (FeNO), body plethysmography and pulmonary gas transfer testing. Hydrogen breath tests for lactose and fructose intolerance and imaging tests (X-ray, ultrasound) are also performed.
The Rehabilitation I Department treats children and young people aged 3 to 18 who are qualified for hospital treatment – 24-hour care. The department provides rehabilitation mainly for children with orthopedic, surgical, neurological, neurosurgical, and rheumatological disorders. The department admits patients after injuries and surgical procedures and prepares them for surgery. Preoperative preparation also includes radiological, laboratory, spirometric, physiotherapeutic, and kinesiotherapeutic diagnostics. Rehabilitation focuses mainly on restoring and improving muscle strength, reducing muscle tension, elongating and mobilizing the spine, eliminating joint contractures, creating new patterns and movement techniques, as well as prosthetic care, learning to walk independently, and self-care.
In the Rehabilitation II Department (for children staying with caregivers), patients aged 3 to 18 requiring constant presence of a caregiver and general physical, neurological, and pulmonary rehabilitation are hospitalized. Children with orthopedic, surgical, neurological, neurosurgical, rheumatological, and respiratory system disorders are admitted.
Our early childhood rehabilitation service also supports children aged 0 to 3 who have, or are at risk of, difficulties with motor and overall development. Care combines medical rehabilitation, physiotherapy, psychological support and speech and language therapy.
In the Day Rehabilitation Unit, rehabilitation is directed towards patients whose health condition does not require round-the-clock medical supervision. Patients are under professional medical care and benefit from all prescribed physiotherapy treatments. The duration of rehabilitation and the type of treatment are individually tailored to the patient’s health problem and capabilities. Children with orthopedic, surgical, neurological, neurosurgical, and rheumatological disorders receive rehabilitation during the day without staying overnight.
The Physiotherapy Department closely cooperates with all hospital departments. It is equipped with specialist equipment and employs a team of committed physiotherapists who help our patients recover as quickly as possible. The number of physiotherapists and their qualifications allow for the application of the most appropriate therapy for each patient. In the physiotherapy department, specialists use neurophysiological, manual, and Veronika Sherborne methods, as well as Sensory Integration. In our hospital, we are prepared to conduct therapeutic exercises and interventions in a very wide range within the sub-departments of individual and group kinesiotherapy, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, and therapeutic massage.
The Day Surgery Unit carries out a wide range of surgical procedures for adults and children, including minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures, allowing for a short stay of the patient in the Unit. The procedures are performed by specialist doctors in orthopedics and traumatology of the musculoskeletal system.
After hospitalization, patients can continue treatment on an outpatient basis, in the allergology, rehabilitation, orthopedic, and speech therapy clinics.
Child and adolescent mental health care
Our mental health services connect support in the community with specialist outpatient care and inpatient psychiatric treatment. They support children and young people experiencing emotional, behavioural, mental health or neurodevelopmental difficulties, as well as their families and caregivers.
The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department provides round-the-clock inpatient care. Treatment combines psychiatric assessment and medication when needed with individual and group psychotherapy, occupational therapy and art therapy. An interdisciplinary team supports each patient’s medical, emotional and developmental needs. The department accepts children and adolescents through to completion of upper secondary school.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Clinic at the hospital in Ameryka offers outpatient psychiatric and psychological consultations, psychological assessment, and individual, family and group psychotherapy. It supports children and young people with emotional, behavioural, mental health and neurodevelopmental difficulties, and provides guidance for parents and caregivers. No referral is required.
Our Community Psychological and Psychotherapeutic Care Centres for Children and Adolescents operate in Olsztyn, Nidzica, Działdowo and Lidzbark Warmiński. They offer psychological assessment, counselling, individual, group and family psychotherapy, and support in the child’s home and community. Their focus is early help close to where children live, with support for families and caregivers. Services include preschool children and young people continuing school education, with provision up to age 21 subject to confirmation of continued schooling.
The Child and Adolescent Addiction Treatment Clinic in Olsztyn helps young people with problems involving psychoactive substances or addictive behaviours, including gambling and digital media use. Assessment and treatment involve addiction therapists and a child and adolescent psychiatrist, with support also available to family members. The clinic serves patients under 18 and young people up to age 21 who provide confirmation of continued school education.
Our team and additional support. Our hospital employs a team of qualified doctors, physiotherapists, nurses, and educators who have experience working with children. The staff is committed to treating and rehabilitating patients individually and professionally, using the latest diagnostic methods. This team ensures that therapy is as effective as possible, while also being as stress-free as possible for our young patients. Our priority is always the well-being of our patients. We strive not only to maintain a high level of qualifications but also to provide a warm and friendly atmosphere, which has a positive impact on the well-being of those staying in our hospital.
In addition to comprehensive medical care, children in our hospital can also count on the support of specialists in psychology, speech therapy, and dietetics. The support of a psychologist is an essential element of hospitalization, providing patients with emotional support and helping them cope with the stress associated with illness and adjusting to a new situation. We offer individual and group psychological assistance as well as family therapy. In the hospital, we also diagnose and treat speech disorders. We improve communication functions, language proficiency, stimulate speech development, and correct articulation abnormalities. We provide support for the functioning of younger and older patients with various disabilities. The dietitian is responsible for planning and monitoring the diet of patients, which is of great importance for the child’s health and physical condition. They also conduct consultations with families to provide appropriate education on a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition.
Parents and guardians staying with their child. In our hospital, there is the possibility of parental care, which means that parents can stay with their child during hospitalization, subject to the arrangements of the relevant department. This solution is very beneficial for both the child and the parent, as the child can feel safer, and the parent can be involved in the treatment process and help the child in everyday, often difficult and full of doubt moments. This solution improves the parent-child relationship and favors the hospitalization process.
Teaching during hospitalization. Additionally, school-age children who are hospitalized for a longer period have the opportunity to participate in educational classes organized in the hospital school. Teachers conduct these classes according to the curriculum, trying to adjust them to the needs and individual abilities of each child, taking into account their health status and the degree of advancement of the disease. Thanks to this, children do not waste time and do not postpone learning, which significantly facilitates their return to school after hospitalization.
Continuing education under difficult health conditions has a positive effect on the intellectual and emotional development of the child. Participation in educational activities helps to maintain a positive attitude and strengthens the child’s sense of self-worth, even in the case of separation from family and peers. Therefore, school in the hospital is an important element of child care, providing them with the best conditions for recovery and returning to everyday life.
Microclimate. An additional asset of our hospital is its location in a forest complex, the advantages of which have been proven in years of scientific research. This place is charming and has a positive impact on the mental, physical, and overall well-being of our patients.
Developing the Northern Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
The hospital is implementing the Northern Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry project (Północne Centrum Psychiatrii Dziecięcej). The project aims to expand access to care through new facilities bringing together community psychological and psychotherapeutic support, outpatient mental health services, psychiatric day care and specialist inpatient treatment. This planned facilitiy will build on the hospital’s existing mental health services.
International patients and enquiries
International patients who are not covered by health insurance in Poland can access paid medical services according to the hospital’s price list. Please contact the hospital before arranging treatment to discuss the relevant service, admission requirements and fees.
Address: Ameryka 21, 11-015 Olsztynek, Poland.
Reception: +48 89 519 48 23
Email: recepcja@ameryka.com.pl.
General enquiries: szpital@ameryka.com.pl.
Website: https://ameryka.com.pl/