carried out without a police escort. This kind of practice is highly questionable. These patients often cannot be given medication because, from a medical viewpoint, the transfer is associated with the risk of respiratory arrest or circulatory collapse. The Network for Patient Advocacy (VertretungsnetzPatientenanwaltschaft) has also stated that mechanical or medicationbased restraint during such a transfer can never be “standard practice” when the relevant provisions of the Hospitalisation Act are taken into consideration. Up to two hours can elapse between the arrival of the on-call psychiatrist in the Regional Hospital Villach and further treatment at the Regional Hospital Klagenfurt. Due to the health hazards associated with the transfer and the delayed treatment, the care deficits are extremely alarming both from a human rights perspective and with regard to questions of legal liability. The resulting stress for the affected patients can be prevented only if the patients, who are supposed to be placed in the Regional Hospital Villach in accordance with the Hospitalisation Act, can be treated there as well. These transfers also result in significant problems at the Regional Hospital Klagenfurt. Commission 3 found that this hospital also does not have the structural requirements for patient care in accordance with current standards. Due to the outdated building structure, rooms with five beds, which do not have a shower, must be used. Overcrowding results in beds with mechanical restraints being set up in hallways. Privacy by using screens is possible only to a limited extent because the patients must be monitored. No adequate care in the Regional Hospital Klagenfurt The already strained staff situation at the Regional Hospital Klagenfurt is exacerbated to a significant degree by the transfers initiated by the Regional Hospital Villach and by the implementation of working hour restrictions amongst medical staff that conform to EU regulations. As a result of the structural problems, the percentage of patients admitted to the ward under the Hospitalisation Act is comparatively high at 43%, which promotes increased use of measures that restrict freedom. The Network for Patient Advocacy has also criticised the frequency of mechanical restraints in this ward and pointed out that it is only higher in the Otto Wagner Hospital in Vienna, i.e. in the metropolitan area of a major city. High percentage of patients placed under the Hospitalisation Act These deficits have for the most part been conceded in the existing statements of the Land Carinthia and the prospect of a complete renovation or a new construction of both hospitals concerned is in prospect. These projects, however, can only be implemented in a number of years. New construction planned 57