As a state mental hospital the Niuvanniemi Hospital can, at the request of the hospital districts, admit persons suffering from mental illnesses and mental disorders and whose treatment is particularly dangerous or difficult (Mental Health Act, Section 6). The Medical Director of Niuvanniemi makes the decision concerning the admittance of these patients.
At the end of 2018 there were 142 difficult-to-treat and/or dangerous patients at the Niuvanniemi Hospital (42 % of the Hospital’s total patient count). The average treatment time for the difficult-to-treat patients discharged from the Hospital in 2018 was 5 years and 2 months. Patients who are referred to Niuvanniemi by municipal hospitals are often suffering from psychosis and are in the acute, initial stage of their illness, with violent behaviour, and often with substance abuse problems. The average treatment time for the difficult-to-treat and/or dangerous patients at the hospital at the end of December 2018 was 5 years and 2 months.