Since 2018, the Hospital d’Olot i Comarcal de la Garrotxa Foundation has offered schools in the region the opportunity to learn about some of the health center’s services and promote healthy habits with guided and personalized visits for each group. The majority are visits for primary school students, but during this course they have also been organized for children in early childhood education and for ESO and vocational training students. They are open to both schools in Olot and the rest of the Garrotxa region.
Primary school students, who represent the majority of visits, at the end of their stay visit the Tres Roures forest, near the center, to address the importance of contact with nature and caring for the environment in general, as well as daily habits that help maintain good health. This last activity is led by the Pediatric Environmental Health Unit (PEHSU) of the Territorial Pediatric Team of La Garrotxa to be aware of the role that the environment has in the health of children and adolescents in the region.
During this course, 5th grade students from the Institut Escola Greda, the Escola Pia and the Les Escomes school in Sant Jaume de Llierca have visited the Hospital, as well as students from the Institut Montsacopa in Olot, Integra or the Fundació Impulsa, among others. The Emergency, Rehabilitation, Baby Room, Pharmacy and Laundry services are usually visited, always depending on the time and the situation in each area. It is the same professionals from the services who show them the facilities, explain what tasks they do and answer the children's questions. In the case of older students or those in vocational training, the visit always focuses on the educational or training needs of the group.
The initiative began in the 2018/19 academic year within the framework of the Consell dels Infants d’Olot, which is promoted by the Education and Youth Department of the Olot City Council. That was the fourth edition and the 5th grade students from Olot schools chose health as a topic of interest. During that academic year, more than 250 students visited the Hospital facilities to learn about the operation of the center and understand health beyond the healthcare field.
Since then, the visits have continued and most are organized through the Educational Resources program of the Education and Youth Department of the Olot City Council with the aim of bringing health centers closer to children and young people and promoting a culture of health based on the physical, mental and environmental aspects.
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