St. Sophia Psychiatric Hospital (Saratov) has a second name "Altynka". The popular nickname is associated with the location of the hospital on the mountain of the same name. The first hospital buildings were built in the 19th century, the profile of the institution has never changed. But the city has grown, and the once suburban clinic has become part of the urban landscape.
Doctor and builder
The Saratov Zemstvo decided back in 1883 to separate the Alexander Hospital from the clinic for the mentally ill. Samuil Ivanovich Steinberg was invited as an organizer, administrator and chief physician. Having visited Europe and having studied the experience of his colleagues, Steinberg sought to create conditions for the treatment of his wards, and not just their supervisory maintenance. In Saratov at that time there was a psychiatric department at the Alexander Hospital. The conditions of the patients were appalling, and the methods of treatment today will seem mocking. The new doctor repeatedly made requests to officials, but the resultshad to wait a long time. Only with the advent of patrons who donated money for the targeted construction of the clinic, there was a firm belief that patients would have a chance to recover.
As a separate facility, the Saratov Regional Psychiatric Hospital began to be built in 1887. The land for the institution was bought near the village of Esipovka from the nobleman Sokolov, the money in the amount of 24,800 rubles for the construction was received under the will of Princess Shcherbatova S. S., whose daughter suffered from mental disorders. Steinberg S. I. started construction in the spring of 1890. He went to the place of work, taking with him a group of patients. In autumn the first wooden buildings were ready. The patients who worked on the construction spent the winter in these buildings, the transfer of patients from the city hospital took place in the spring of 1891, which became the year of reference for the history of the clinic.
Stone cases
The number of patients was constantly increasing, there were not enough places. The psychiatric hospital of St. Sophia (Saratov) acquired stone buildings only by 1903. The architect and overseer of the work was V. K. Karpenko. The staff has expanded significantly. In addition to the director (Steinberg S. I.) and the assistant director (Lyass S. Ya.), three residents, a caretaker, junior medical staff, maids, cooks and other employees worked in the institution.
Changes in the hospital came along with the revolution of 1905, Steinberg S. I. did not find a common language with the new bureaucracy, fell under repression. Heavy experiences knocked him downhe alth, he died in 1909 and was buried on the territory of the hospital.
During the years of Soviet power
Before the Great Patriotic War, the directors of the clinic were appointed people who had nothing to do with medicine, but who were "class" correct. The duties of the chief physician were performed by people with specialized education, and therefore the changes had little effect on patients. The clinic tried to keep up with the times in those days, using advanced technologies and methods of treating their special patients. For example, in the 1920s they mastered malar therapy, which has a beneficial effect on patients with progressive paralysis. In the second half of the thirties, insulin-comatose and electroconvulsive therapy entered the practice.
During the war years, most of the medical and medical personnel were called to the front, some of the buildings were damaged. The number of patients only increased, even prisoners had to be treated.
Post-war years, through the efforts of the administration, the psychiatric hospital of St. Sophia (Saratov) constantly expanded, the number of beds increased, and a subsidiary farm was established. From 1954 to 1975, through the efforts of the administration, psychiatric hospitals, branches, and psychiatric departments were opened. New methods of treating various mental illnesses and deviations were introduced, active scientific work was carried out, conferences were held.
Modernity
In September 1991 there was a big holiday,bringing together many doctors who worked in a city like Saratov. The regional psychiatric hospital of St. Sophia celebrated its centenary. A scientific and practical conference was timed to coincide with the event and a collection of scientific articles was published.
In the early 2000s, a reform was carried out, as a result of which the narcological department, previously huddled in various hospitals on a lease basis, became part of the hospital. As a result, the Narcology Center was formed, for which a new building was purchased. Since 2014, the Saratov psychiatric institution has become known as the Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital of St. Sophia (Saratov).
Profile of institution and medical services
At the moment, the hospital includes nine buildings with the status of an architectural monument of regional significance. The territory of the park zone occupies 40 hectares. The structure of the institution consists of 19 departments. About 8,000 patients receive qualified care annually. The hospital provides medical care in the following main areas:
- Neuroses of various origins.
- Diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
- Personality disorders.
- All kinds of addictions.
- Psychotuberculosis ward.
- Military expertise.
- Expertises, examinations, including forensic psychiatric.
The hospital has treatment and production workshops where patients learn new activities,are undergoing occupational therapy. There is also a day hospital, Narcology Center. Everyone in need can ask for help and receive it, and this is what the psychiatric hospital of St. Sophia (Saratov) works for. Contacts of the State He althcare Institution "OKPB":
- Reception phone +7-8452-49-53-13.
- Telephone of the reception department of the narcological center +7-8452-45-85-17, 45-85-19.
In 2004, the construction of an Orthodox church, consecrated in honor of the Holy Martyr Sophia, was completed. The church has a Sunday school, which children and adults can attend.
Reviews
St. Sophia Psychiatric Hospital (Saratov) has been operating for more than 120 years. Feedback with thanks was left by patients and relatives of those who received treatment. Each of them talks about quality care, the sincere participation of doctors and staff. Many doctors and nurses are personally thanked, mentioning their professionalism, spiritual qualities and attentiveness to the needs and problems of difficult patients.
Negative reviews are written about the poor condition of the buildings, indicating that the premises are in need of repair for a long time. Many visitors to the hospital mention the poor sanitation and bad smell. The food offered to patients in the inpatient unit causes criticism.
Useful information
Address of the medical institution: Steinberg S. I. street, building No. 50,St. Sophia Psychiatric Hospital (Saratov). The phone number of the chief physician's office is +7-8452-95-50-38, the reception department is +7-8452-49-53-13.
