Exercising an activity as a psychiatric care home

Any psychiatric nursing home (PNH) wishing to carry out activities in the Brussels-Capital Region, which by virtue of its organisation cannot be considered as belonging exclusively to the French Community or the Flemish Community, must be recognised by the Common Community Commission (the COCOM).

A psychiatric care home is a structure which collectively accommodates people with stabilised mental illnesses or intellectual disabilities.

The institutions which may obtain accreditation as a psychiatric care home are the following: existing psychiatric hospitals or parts of psychiatric hospitals which have been converted into residential services for the admission of persons who require care which shortens or avoids the need for hospitalisation, taking into account the fact that the hospital is located outside the campus of the hospital.

Conditions

The accreditation standards are laid down in the Royal Decree of 10 July 1990 laying down the standards for the special accreditation of psychiatric care homes

Action to be taken

Any application for accreditation must be addressed to the Services of the United College (the Administration), accompanied by an administrative file.

If the file is complete and the institution can operate under conditions compatible with the required standards, provisional recognition will be granted. It will take effect from the date of application. Provisional accreditation will be valid for a period of six months, which may be renewed without limitation.

During the period of provisional accreditation, the Administration will check whether the psychiatric care home is functioning in accordance with all the required standards. A report will be drawn up.

The Advisory Board will issue an opinion with regard to the application for accreditation.

After receiving the recommendation of the Advisory Board, the United College will decide upon the application for accreditation. Accreditation will be granted for a period of up to six years and may be renewed.

Cost

Free