 The need to develop a new high care unit derived from the unsuitable design of the previous wards, which had been in use from the early part of the 20th century.The old wards represented an outmoded and essentially custodial psychiatric practice that has no place in a modern, more humane service, adhering to the most recent developments in effective psychiatric care.Apart from offering general in- and outpatient psychiatric services, Valkenberg has a variety of specialised units such as the Forensic Unit and Acute Admission Units.