Implementation of Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2010 Complaints procedures Complaints procedures in both hospitals are specified in a brochure given to each patient upon admission to the hospital. Patients also receive an oral explanation of the complaints procedure. During the visit, we found that the content of the brochures is not entirely compliant with the content dictated by ZDZdr - the rights are not correctly summarised, or incomplete information is given. We proposed that the hospitals correct the brochures and complete them with adequate information. We also established that Article 16 of ZDZdr was not observed in any of the hospitals, since the list of rights as set forth by ZDZdr and the house rules in some secure wards were not posted on the bulletin board. We also noticed that in some secure wards both hospitals there was no collection box for comments and complaints (or it was outside the ward door) or the collection box was of unsuitable design (PVC folder for paper insertion) or location (nurse’s room). We suggested that the hospitals post the the list of rights as per ZDZdr and the house rules in a visible location in all secure wards, and install a suitable collection box for comments and complaints in all secure wards, thereby allowing the patients accommodated in these wards to submit the complaint anonymously. 6. Visits to nursing homes and special social care institutions In 2010, we visited Lendava Retirement Home, Cerknica Elderly Centre, Krško Elderly Home, Kočevje Elderly Home, Mengeš Rest Home (this home and its health care service were also inspected later by the expert cooperating with the National Preventive Mechanism (DPM) with recommendations from the aspect of health regarding the accommodation of persons deprived of liberty) and two special social care institutions, Impoljca Retirement and Nursing Home, Sevnica, and Nina Pokorn Home, Grmovje. All visits to nursing homes and special social care institutions were unannounced. Upon entering the home or special social care institution (the institution), the group first talked to the management, then inspected secure wards and other rooms of the institution, and held interviews with individual residents. During the inspection or immediately afterwards, we reviewed written records (which should be kept by the institution on the basis of the Mental Health Act (ZDZdr)) of randomly chosen cases and checked whether the court had been notified in due time and how it had responded. After the inspection, and if necessary, we again talked to the institution’s management and presented to them good practice examples observed in other institutions in respect of the findings. This is how we indirectly tried to improve the situation and eliminate particular irregularities in the visited institutions. After each visit, the group, comprised of representatives of the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia (the Ombudsman) and usually of representatives of selected non-governmental organisations, prepared a report on their findings and recommendations. The report was first submitted to the institution, thereby giving it the opportunity to comment on our findings, which they often use. In its response, the institution frequently informed us of measures they had taken regarding the recommendations issued by the DPM. Each final report on the visit was also submitted to the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs. Secure wards During the visits to the elderly homes and special social care institutions, we were pleased to establish that the number of rooms with four, five or even more beds is decreasing. Even those institutions which still have such rooms are striving to divide the rooms by walls when renovating secure ward rooms in order to accommodate two, or at most three occupants. We welcomed such efforts. Although rooms with several beds might have certain advantages (occupants more easily make contact with each other, they feel the proximity and warmth of another person), smaller rooms provide the occupants with more privacy. According to the National Preventive Mechanism in the Republic of Slovenia under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 55