According to the director, the new building is badly needed. `Fungus and moisture create an unhealthy situation and the current building is too small. Over the past years, the center has grown so much that many staff members are forced to work from home.'
According to Van Leer, the center's growth has had a lot to do with the desire of its `clients' to secure the facility's continuity. Apart from the UT, the Occupational Health & Safety Center has also been working for years for the Saxion Hogeschool as well as a number of high schools. `For several years, the UT's focus has been on reducing the absentee rate and stimulating reintegration, partially because of the introduction of the Poortwachter Law. The UT's absentee rate is currently about three percent. That is lower than the national average.
With a new building being built, Van Leer also wants to start using more specialist UT knowledge. Several years ago, the project `Healthy on the Job' was developed in cooperation with the Psychology research group and the personnel department. Health management workshops were given at the TSM Business School and company and medical training programs were started at the sports center. `We want to start facilitating graduate work, internships and product development. The center could work with the faculty of Behavioral Sciences in a number of ways, as well as with programs like Technical Medicine and Medical Sciences,' the director feels. `Student consultancy firm PIP Advice is currently researching possible projects for us.'
But Van Leer wants more: the new building should develop into a university health center. `This would be a great place for student psychologists and staff psychologists to work together. Apart from that, general practitioners and company doctors are starting to cooperate more and more. If that is the case, why should we not try to return the family doctor to campus? That could easily be combined in one building,' according to Van Leer.
`But as long as these plans are not realized,' he continues, `the Health & Safety Center would like to respond to emergencies like acute health problems and accidents. Students and staff members will no longer have to go to the hospital for first aid because we will also have doctors present. In short, I think our presence adds value to the university. Wouldn't it be great to have all medical and psychological service departments and research in one building? This would at least make things clearer for our clients and patients.'
The Occupational Health & Safety Center Drienerlo, a subsidiary of the UT, will be the owner of the new building. Right now they are renting the building. During the renovation, mid- 2005, the entire front of the building will be demolished. The existing wing, behind the front side of the current building, will remain university-owned and will be renovated. This area is reserved for the medical department, which includes the physiotherapist, dentist and nurses. The new building will have one main entrance, and must be finished by 2006.
Trans. Jeroen Latour
