A new unique service in Vendée has opened at Montaigu hospital

Par

Laurine Pollavini

Published on

Jan 20, 2025 at 6:10 p.m.

The project had been in the works for 10 years. On January 10, a unique service in Vendée was inaugurated at the Montaigu departmental hospital center. He is in charge of Medical Care and Digestive Metabolic Endoctrinal Rehabilitation.

Since June 2024, this new service welcomes people with obesity for stays the duration of which varies between one and three weeks. The objective, beyond weight loss, is to allow them nutritional rehabilitation.

A multidisciplinary approach

To enable patients to achieve this objective, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary. In the care pathway, both a therapeutic education in dietetics, adapted physical activity but also psychological support. “Unfortunately, this is too often forgotten in the care of these patients,” emphasizes Emeline Cot, head of the department.

To guide patients, a team made up of different specialists was formed. “We have two doctors, two dieticians, two psychologists, a physiotherapist, an adapted physical activity rehabilitator, a social worker and a secretary”; explains Emeline Cot.

Up to 12 patients

In addition to medical staff, specific equipment had to be put in place. The service has 12 rooms which allow to accommodate up to 12 patients simultaneously. In these, all the furniture has been reinforced and supports up to 350 kilos.

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Patients sleep there during the week and go home on the weekend. “It’s a real choice on our part. This allows people in hospital to see how they can implement what they learned in hospital at home. In addition, we often welcome young parents and it makes them feel good to return home,” explains the head of department.

A suitable gym

In addition to individual rooms, patients have'a gym equipped with machines specially designed for people with obesity. Every day, they are supported to participate in sessions of 30 to 45 minutes.

Here are the specialized machines in the gym. ©Laurine Pollavini

This daily indoor sport is complemented by outdoor walks with a hiking trail within the hospital itself which is 1.5 kilometers long. A ping-pong table and a basketball hoop are also at their disposal. “This equipment allows people to do activities alone or in groups. Nurses and caregivers can also participate if patients wish. »

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A service partly financed by the ARS

Finally, a multipurpose room is used for setting up various workshops. It allows nutritional therapeutic education, research of information on obesity, group sessions on the psychological relationship to obesity. It is also a place that allows everyone to eat together.

A kitchen is also available for the workshop which is organized for people staying three weeks.

All these arrangements were financed to the tune of 440,000 euros by the Regional Health Agency. “The answer to the question of obesity is plural and places like this are essential,” commented Jérôme Jumel, director general of the ARS .

On a voluntary basis

Entry into this service is via a healthcare professional. “This can come from the treating doctor but also a specialist or a surgeon,” explains Emeline Cot.

Some people also come recover after having bariatric surgery which consists of modifying the anatomy of the digestive system, and more particularly that of the stomach, to limit the quantity of food consumed and their assimilation. In this scenario, patients generally stay for only one week.

A ping-pong table and a basketball hoop are available. ©Laurine Pollavini

All patients in the department enter voluntarily. “to be able to set goals with the person and be able to put things in place, they need to be motivated. It is important for us that patients come on their own. We still invite general practitioners to talk to patients about it and not hesitate to contact us directly,” insists Emeline Cot.

A unique service in Vendée

This new specialty is unique in Vendée. She was created following the congestion of the diabetology department of the La Roche-sur-Yon hospital. Although this specialty was previously non-existent in the department, it remains rare even in the region. Indeed, It is only in that this service exists in the Pays de la Loire. “This service is unique and exceptional. it is intended to welcome people from Vendée but also people from neighboring departments,” concludes the new director of the hospital, Olivier Servaire-Lorenzet.

At the end of their hospitalization, patients can continue to benefit fromfollow-up in outpatient nutrition consultation. “For the moment we have good results,” rejoices the head of department.

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