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About the Hospital

Haapsalu Neurological Rehabilitation Centre (HNRK)

is the most modern rehabilitation center in the Baltics, founded on person-centered solutions and a professional approach. We distinguish ourselves through our innovativeness, willingness to collaborate, and caring atmosphere. Our goal is to help people achieve the best possible recovery so they can return to their daily lives feeling active and content. Our patients are more than just a medical diagnosis to us – they are individuals with their own dreams and goals.

HNRK has three departments dedicated to its core activities:

  • Spinal Rehabilitation Department
  • Neurorehabilitation Department
  • Pediatric Rehabilitation and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Department

HNRK is a contractual partner of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund for providing inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services and for implementing the disease prevention project “Health check for young athletes to prevent sports-related health risks”. HNRK also collaborates with the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund and various insurance companies in providing services. It is also possible to purchase services as a self-payer.

Restoring Vitality

Mission: An active and fulfilling life for everyone.

Vision: Haapsalu Neurological Rehabilitation Centre is the most modern neurorehabilitation center in the Nordic and Baltic countries, where we support the achievement of health and life goals by offering comprehensive and person-centered rehabilitation. HNRK is a globally recognized scientific and competence center in its field.

Motto: Restoring Vitality.

Our Core Values

Person-Centeredness

People are at the heart of our activities – whether they are patients, employees, or partners. We address each individual's needs. As our main work, HNRK is dedicated to helping people recover after illnesses and injuries: to live actively and contentedly, and to achieve their health and life goals.

Collaboration

Willingness to collaborate is an integral part of working at HNRK. We believe that well-functioning teamwork, involving the patient and their loved ones, as well as colleagues from both the healthcare sector and beyond, forms a strong foundation for the patient's recovery process. The attitude of HNRK staff is professional, and communication is honest and respectful.

Innovation

We are passionate about our field. Continuous learning and development, and finding effective solutions, are in the DNA of HNRK's people. We dream big, because it drives progress.

Quality

When we do something at HNRK, we do it well. An evidence-based approach is important to us – a combination of modern knowledge, long-term experience, and specialized skills forms the basis of our quality standard. This is what we are known for.

In addition to the core values, HNRK’s ethical values have been formulated, which are considered important in the hospital both when dealing with patients/clients and in employment relationships, and which serve as daily behavioral and operational norms for HNRK employees both internally within the institution and in communication with external partners.

HNRK Management

Board:

Heli Paluste – Chairperson of the Board
Annelii Jürgenson
Kaie Karniol
Nikita Panjuškin

Management Board:

Kadri Englas – Chairperson of the Management Board
Mari-Liis Ööpik-Loks – Member of the Management Board

Heads of Departments:

Spinal Rehabilitation Department – Helina Kangro-van Schie
Neurorehabilitation Department – Siret Russi
Pediatric and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Department – Kristel Klement

Interesting Facts About Haapsalu Neurological Rehabilitation Centre

  • HNRK was established 1958. year in response to the Europe-wide poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis) epidemic. 
  • HNRK is located at Sadama 16, Haapsalu, on the shore of Haapsalu’s back bay. 
  • HNRK has over 6,000 m² of space, of which more than 1,000 m² is for active therapies (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc.) 
  • HNRK has approximately 100 inpatient beds, about 20% of which are for children. Additionally, services can be accessed on an outpatient basis or as day treatment.  
  • Annually, services are provided to approximately 3,500 different individuals. 
  • HNRK provides services to people across Estonia.  
  • HNRK’s primary partner is the Estonian Health Insurance Fund, whose funded services constitute about 90% of HNRK’s budget. 
  • HNRK’s patient rooms are predominantly double. The entire hospital is designed to be accessible for individuals using mobility aids. 
  • HNRK’s public spaces are designed as an enriched environment, meaning they are designed to support recovery. 
  • Next to HNRK is our activity and play park, which serves as both a recreational and training environment, welcoming both HNRK patients and visitors to Haapsalu. HNRK Park is the result of several charity projects.  
  • HNRK has, as of the end of 2024,  181 employees, of whom approximately 130 work directly with patients. 
  • HNRK has 3 departments for carrying out its core activities, a management board office, and 3 support services, plus 2 development units – HNRK Assistive Devices Center and HNRK Support Fund.  
  • Since 2012, HNRK has been using high-tech equipment to conduct neurorehabilitation more effectively. As of 2024, HNRK is a member of the international corporation DIH’s network of competence centers, serving, among other things, as a reference center for the effective use of said equipment. 
  • 2024. HNRK was recognized with the title “Learner-Friendly Employer of the Year”.  
  • HNRK has been publishing since 2011  the newsletter “Keskustelu”. The newsletter is published twice a year. 
  • HNRK has been collecting patient feedback for over 15 years. 
  • HNRK contributes significantly to education: the hospital hosts many interns, hospital staff participate in the occupational therapy curriculum at Tallinn Health Care College, the care worker curriculum at Haapsalu Vocational Education Centre, and the health manager curriculum at Tallinn University Haapsalu College. Additionally, several training days are held throughout the year for students from various related fields.  
  • HNRK has had several successful charity cooperation projects. The longest of these – for a total of 20 consecutive years – is the Relay Run.