54 living conditions 34. Creating a positive therapeutic environment involves, first of all, providing sufficient living space per patient as well as adequate lighting, heating and ventilation, maintaining the establishment in a satisfactory state of repair and meeting hospital hygiene requirements. Particular attention should be given to the decoration of both patients' rooms and recreation areas, in order to give patients visual stimulation. The provision of bedside tables and wardrobes is highly desirable, and patients should be allowed to keep certain personal belongings (photographs, books, etc). The importance of providing patients with lockable space in which they can keep their belongings should also be underlined; the failure to provide such a facility can impinge upon a patient's sense of security and autonomy. Sanitary facilities should allow patients some privacy. Further, the needs of elderly and/or handicapped patients in this respect should be given due consideration; for example, lavatories of a design which do not allow the user to sit are not suitable for such patients. Similarly, basic hospital equipment enabling staff to provide adequate care (including personal hygiene) to bedridden patients must be made available; the absence of such equipment can lead to wretched conditions. It should also be noted that the practice observed in some psychiatric establishments of continuously dressing patients in pyjamas/nightgowns is not conducive to strengthening personal identity and self-esteem; individualisation of clothing should form part of the therapeutic process. 35. Patients' food is another aspect of their living conditions which is of particular concern to the CPT. Food must be not only adequate from the standpoints of quantity and quality, but also provided to patients under satisfactory conditions. The necessary equipment should exist enabling food to be served at the correct temperature. Further, eating arrangements should be decent; in this regard it should be stressed that enabling patients to accomplish acts of daily life such as eating with proper utensils whilst seated at a table - represents an integral part of programmes for the psycho-social rehabilitation of patients. Similarly, food presentation is a factor which should not be overlooked. The particular needs of disabled persons in relation to catering arrangements should also be taken into account.