28 NORWEGIAN PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN National Preventive Mechanism ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Thematic report on ­segregation in mental ­healthcare institutions In December 2018, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) published a report on segregation in mental healthcare1. This thematic report is a summary of the NPM’s findings on the segregation of patients admitted to compulsory mental healthcare institutions, based on visits to 12 hospitals in the period 2015–2018. From our very first visits to psychiatric hospital departments, the NPM has made worrying findings concerning the use of a measure called ‘shielding’ (a form of segregation). Many patients are subjected to segregation, and the coercive measure may be used for a long time. Segregation often takes place in stripped rooms with little meaningful social contact, strict rules for behaviour, lack of available activities, and unclear treatment plans. Based on these concerns, the NPM launched a thematic report on the use of segregation in December 2018. The purpose of the thematic report is to provide a summary and elaboration of the NPM's findings on the use of segregation from its visits to mental healthcare institutions. The findings are assessed on the basis of human rights requirements and standards, and discussed in light of history, research, and public statistics. 1 The report is entitled "Skjerming i psykisk helsevern - risiko for umenneskelig behandling" ('Segregation in mental healthcare - risk of inhumane treatment'). The report is in Norwegian only.