Implementation of the Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2012 It was proposed to Ljubljana University Psychiatric Clinic that it place the description of complaint procedures next to the letterbox for comments and complaints, plus some paper (perhaps even a form) and a suitable pen. It was communicated by the hospital in question that a description of the complaint procedure, a form and a pen would be additionally placed next to letterboxes for comments and complaints. It is recommended by the NPM that a letterbox for complaints be also placed in the department I1 at the Intensive Psychiatry Unit. All pieces of information in departments G1 and G2 in the Gerontopsychiatric Unit are displayed in communal rooms, and a letterbox for complaints is located outside in the ward’s corridor. It was proposed that all patients should be provided with an equal opportunity to submit a written complaint. Other matters Use of mobile phones and internet There is a telephone apparatus with a calling card support function installed in the wards; patients may buy telephone cards at a news-stand (a cabin), but they may also use a phone otherwise used by the staff. Mobile phones are taken away from patients upon admission. In Vojnik Psychiatric Hospital there is a phone in the ward so that anybody may make a phone call from the ward. Mobile phones are not allowed due to risk of abuse, particularly theft and fraud. These are recorded upon the patients’ admission, and kept in a safe, in the same way as other valuable items. In addition, Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospital explained that the medical staff take away mobile phones (in particular, when a patient is in an acute stage of distress, in order to prevent the financial consequences of making excessive telephone calls) and give them back to patients when they wish to make a phone call. Patients are informed about this policy. This is justified since, in the NPM’s opinion, the potential prohibition or the restriction of the use of mobile phones must be written down and published (for example, on notice boards of the wards). The NPM also proposed an easier access to the world wide web be enabled by Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospitals to patients (whose medical condition makes such activity possible). The management of the hospital explained that patients use the world wide web already now without any limitation during the working time of an occupational therapist; but a simpler approach would be sought for. Advocate Lists of patient rights under the ZDZdr are displayed at both wards of Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospital, including the data on advocates authorised under this Act. Patients are supposed to be notified about the option to choose an advocate and about the right to an advocate upon their admission, and also afterwards. In Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospital, there is a room provided for the work of advocates. The secure in-patient ward for women of Vojnik Psychiatric Hospital introduced a register to keep a record of visits of an advocate of persons’ rights in the field of mental health. When inspecting the book, it was observed that none of the advocates had visited an individual patient since May 2012. It was therefore proposed by the NPM that patients be actively informed by the abovementioned hospital of the possibility to choose an advocate of the rights of persons in the field of mental health upon admission, and afterwards. It was explained by Vojnik Psychiatric Hospital that patients were informed of the option to be visited by an advocate of patients’ rights immediately upon their admission. 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 67

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