62 npm annual report 2016 /observations and recommendations The acute psychiatric ward of Vammala Hospital The NPM conducted a pre-announced visit in the acute psychiatric ward of Vammala Hospital in spring 2016. The ward did not have a brochure intended for patients and their families that would explain the operation of the ward and the patient’s rights in as plain a language as possible. • The staff was instructed to familiarise themselves with the brochure available on Valvira’s website titled “Information about involuntary psychiatric care and patient rights”. The Ombudsman felt that it would be a good idea to establish in advance where the hospital should obtain a second opinion on the need to continue treatment in case of patients coming from several different municipalities. • The ward’s seclusion room did not have a clock that would enable a patient placed in the room to keep track of time. The Ombudsman recommended that a clock be purchased. • During the visit, it turned out that the seclusion room was used very little. • The Ombudsman found this a positive development that could finally lead to abandoning the seclusion room altogether. The Ombudsman welcomed the green area built in the institution’s courtyard that enabled also those patients whose freedom of movement is restricted to take outdoor exercise independently. A courtyard at Vammala Hospital where psychiatric patients can spend time outdoors independently (visit on 19 April 2016).