44. During the 485 visits made by the NPM throughout its five years of activity, both deficiencies and improvements have been observed, either of a general nature, or specific to each visited facility, account of which has been rendered in the various annual reports prepared by the Ombudsman’s Office acting in the capacity of NPM. This institution would like to express its satisfaction with the transparency shown by the responsible authorities while the visits are made, at which the public officers on service cooperate and afford access to all kinds of documentation, and in the private interviews held with persons deprived of liberty, thus complying with the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (OPCAT). 45. It must be pointed out that it is the main function of the NPM to help prevent ill treatment of persons deprived of liberty and, for that purpose, after each visit, it prepares a report in which it explains its observations including, if appropriate, Recommendations or Suggestions, which is the base of the work of the NPM before the various authorities. These Recommendations and Suggestions often lead to significant improvements of the conditions in the treatment and procedures relating to persons deprived of liberty. These advances demonstrate the response of the responsible authorities to the work of the NPM and, accordingly, respect to the rights of persons deprived of liberty. 46. In this respect, major progress has been made contemplating the contents of various Recommendations, such as the continuation of the implementation of videosurveillance systems at places for the deprivation of liberty; the creation of a database containing updated data on complaints of police conduct that could imply a breach or violation of the rights of the persons in custody or the gradual application of the recommendations included in the report on Injury reports on people deprived of their liberty prepared by the NPM. 47. As regards the police facilities, improvements have been observed at various detention centres (for example, by eliminating items that could facilitate self-injuries); observance of the obligation of identification of the Ertzaintza; better compliance with the chain of custody of detainees or improvement in the health conditions. 48. An improvement in the healthcare provided at CIE has been observed, with an extension of the timetable during which healthcare personnel are present and the implementation of a record of demands for healthcare; the approval of a suicide 37