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10. Dialogue on the measures taken by the NPM
not pulled at the time of the visit. It often happened that the residents were
bathed in two tubs right next to each other without a partition to separate
them. I asked the head of the Institution to make sure that no one can look
into the bathrooms from the corridor, and that a partition is placed between
the bath-tubs. I was informed by the head of the Social Institution that as
a result of the modernisation of the bathrooms, no one can look into the
bathrooms any more, and the shower stands are also separated from each
other by a partition.
The personnel could not pay attention to ensuring that the residents were
bathed by nurses of the same sex, and it did not even occur to them that this
might be justified. This violates the sense of modesty of the residents who
need help with cleaning up and who are in a vulnerable position, this is why
the fact that the residents are occasionally helped by nurses of the opposite
sex with their washing involves the threat of an impropriety that runs counter to the prohibition of degrading treatment. I asked the head of the Social
Institution to ensure that if possible, the residents were helped with their
bathing by a same-sex nurse. The head of the institution promised to hire
as many male nurses as possible, the chances for which are rather limited,
though, in lack of suitable applicants.
There were only a few residents who were allowed to choose their own
clothes matching the season. For the majority of the residents, the care provider prepared the clothes for the next day on the previous evening. I mentioned that it may prove to be a positive experience for the residents if they
could freely decide what they would like to wear. It should be set as a goal
that the residents have a say in choosing their clothes, that they could express
their opinion and wishes regarding their clothing and that this should be
taken into account by the care providers, if possible.
There was no conjugal room at the Social Institution. Those residents who
do not live together as common law spouses could only establish intimate
relations in their rooms, while their roommates were out. I proposed that
a conjugal room be made available. The head of the institution informed
me that he had fulfilled my recommendation.
The House Rules contained the number of the members of the Advocacy
Forum incorrectly, I proposed that this be updated, which proposal was
executed by the head of the Social Institution.
At the time of the visit, there was no complaints box at the Social Institution, so the residents or their relatives could not make anonymous complaints on the conditions at the institution. I asked the head of the Social
Institution to ensure the availability of a complaints box and to ensure its
proper use. The head of the Social Institution indicated that a complaints
box had been made available.
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