Implementation of the Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2012 At the time of the visit in Preddvor RH, in the first floor of the castle, the temperature was 28.7 degrees with the outdoor temperature at 30 degrees Celsius. Although the thick walls of the old building surely resisted some of the warmth, it was believed that such a high temperature is uncomfortable for residents. Even more so in the case of high level supervision ward where residents have a limited possibility of leaving the ward. That is why the endeavours of Preddvor RH were welcomed: to arrange for a new secure ward by restoring the newer building and enabling a direct and protected exit to the lawn, as well as installing suitable air-conditioning for the hottest months of the year. It was proposed to the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs that it should actively approach the solving of the issue in regard to obtaining funds for the necessary reconstruction of premises in Preddvor RH. In its response report, it was stated by the nursing home in question that, in spite of all their efforts, funds needed for the highly necessary reconstruction of premises were not yet guaranteed. The answer from the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs is still awaited. Some proposals were also given to Lucija Centre, specifically, that temperature and moisture in rooms and corridors be regularly measured and the well-being of residents be taken into account by adjusting the cooling of rooms accordingly. Although there is an air-conditioner in every room, and whilst communal rooms are also air-conditioned, the prevailing feeling was that it is rather hot in Lucija Centre (particularly on the ground floor). In its response report, it was explained by Lucija Centre that the temperature in rooms and in the ground floor is maintained by means of air-conditioning devices installed in all rooms. The temperature in the hall of Lucija Centre is slightly raised during the time when residents go outdoors into the park and return to the centre as a result of the inflow of warm air through the doors which remain open. The staff are responsible for closing the doors since movement-impaired residents are not able to do this task. Since the doors are fire-proof, the automatically closing doors cannot be installed. Several attempts at lowering the temperature in the hall were made but residents going into the park and staying in the hall or loitering in the bar were cold. Lucija Centre adapts the temperature level in rooms to the comfort of its residents and respects their wishes. In the NPM’s opinion, rooms at the Lastovka ward in Rakičan EH appear rather impersonal, and, as a result, it was proposed to motivate residents staying at the ward for dementia sufferers to decorate their rooms with small personal belongings, paintings, perhaps photographs and artistic items created by themselves, and introduce a personal touch into their rooms. It was stated by the nursing home in its response report that proposals by the NPM in regard to decorating the rooms with personal items would be taken into account, and that relatives are already encouraged to bring such items to their residents. A decision was also made that with the establishment of the new ward such items will be placed in rooms as far as possible, whilst also putting photographs of residents with dementia on the doors of their rooms in order to ease their orientation. Call bells It was proposed to Izlake EH that responses to the call made by the call bell be controlled and perhaps suitable internal instructions in this regard could be adopted. In its response report, the nursing home stated, among other matters, that the staff regularly respond to call bells since the signage puts a warning about the call both in the room for nurses as well as on all corridors, and the head nurse and the team leader may monitor the response in their offices. In the light of the NPM’s proposal, it was, however, decided that response time would be occasionally checked. National Preventive Mechanism in the Republic of Slovenia under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 93